Shayan Jahangir and Jordan Cox struck commanding half-centuries to steer defending champions Dubai Capitals into the World ILT20 playoffs with a comfortable six-wicket win over Sharjah Warriorz at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday.
Jahangir not only set the tone with the bat but also made a telling impact behind the stumps, producing a sharp stumping to dismiss dangerman Tom Kohler-Cadmore in a fine all-round performance.
Chasing a modest target of 135, the Capitals made light work of the task. Jahangir launched an early assault, while an unbeaten Jordan Cox calmly finished the chase with 61 not out off 50 balls, sealing victory with five balls to spare.
After the early loss of Sediqullah Atal for 17, Jahangir and Cox stitched together a decisive 76-run stand off 63 deliveries. Harmeet Singh provided Sharjah an early breakthrough, but wickets proved hard to come by thereafter.
Sikandar Raza briefly reignited Warriorz’ hopes with a double strike in the 14th over, removing Jahangir, who had completed his half-century, and Mohammad Nabi in quick succession. Taskin Ahmed later dismissed Leus du Plooy, but Cox remained unfazed, guiding the Capitals home with ease.
Earlier, Dubai Capitals’ bowlers laid the foundation with a disciplined performance, restricting Sharjah Warriorz to 134/8. Haider Ali and Waqar Salamkheil claimed two wickets each, with Ali impressing by conceding just 13 runs in his four overs. David Willey, Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi chipped in with a wicket apiece as the Capitals sealed their third straight win to confirm a playoff berth.
Asked to bat first, Sharjah Warriorz struggled for momentum. Monank Patel looked fluent during his brief stay but was run out for 24 by Willey, triggering a collapse. Kohler-Cadmore soon followed, stumped by Jahangir while attempting to attack Haider Ali.
At 65/3 after 10 overs, Warriorz needed a stabilising partnership on a sluggish surface at the Ring of Fire. Johnson Charles tried to anchor the innings, with Raza joining him, but the revival never materialised. Raza was given a reprieve when Jahangir dropped a straightforward chance, but he failed to capitalise and was caught and bowled by Mustafizur.
Charles fell soon after, mistiming a pull shot that resulted in a sharp low catch by Willey at long-on. From there, Warriorz lost wickets in clusters during the death overs, managing only a late flourish through Adil Rashid and Harmeet Singh, who added 14 runs each. Tim Southee’s cameo helped push the total to a modest 134/8 — a score that proved well within the Capitals’ reach.
(By PTI Inputs)
Also Read: ILT20: Andre Russell and Sherfane Rutherford penalised after on-field misconduct
