Dubai, January 21 The Desert Vipers’ unbeaten record was finally challenged on Monday, as the Dubai Capitals achieved a remarkable six-wicket win in ITT20 Season 3 at the Dubai International Stadium. A formidable bowling display, led by Dushmantha Chameera and Zahir Khan’s three-wicket hauls, limited the Vipers to 139 runs. Gulbadin Naib spearheaded the pursuit with an explosive 78 runs from 51 balls, enabling the Capitals to end a three-match losing skid.

Notwithstanding the modest first innings score, captain Lockie Ferguson maintained the Vipers’ competitive position with an impressive opening stint. Ferguson dismissed Ben Dunk and Khalid Shah in the second over, leaving the Capitals in a precarious position at 17/2. Despite the run rate being satisfactory, opener Shai Hope was run out for eight runs due to a miscommunication with Gulbadin Naib in the sixth over.

Naib, who had previously been dismissed for two runs earlier in the innings, atoned for his performance in the subsequent over by hitting Nathan Sowter for three sixes, so reducing the needed run rate to below six runs per over.

Accompanied by Sikandar Raza, Naib accelerated to a half-century off 31 balls, with two fours and three sixes. The duo established a 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket in under 36 balls. Consequently, by the 14-over juncture, the Capitals were well in control, requiring 32 runs from 36 balls. Raza, who had been somewhat cautious, was dismissed by Mohammad Amir’s shorter delivery for 24 runs off 26 balls in the 15th over. Najibullah Zadran partnered with Naib as the latter maintained supremacy over the Vipers’ bowling assault. Naib hit two further sixes as the Capitals achieved the mark in 17.4 overs.

Batting first, the Vipers started energetically, attaining a score of 48/1 at the conclusion of the Power-play. Fakhar Zaman established an aggressive rhythm early on, hitting a six and a four before being dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera in the second over. Dan Lawrence, batting at number three, mirrored Zaman’s aggression, while Alex Hales stabilized the innings at the other end.

Nevertheless, the Capitals asserted dominance throughout the intermediate portion, despite a 58-run partnership between Hales and Lawrence. The Vipers had a significant setback, losing Hales, Lawrence, and Sam Curran inside three consecutive overs. Haider Ali removed Hales for 34 in the tenth over, while Lawrence’s 24-run contribution was terminated by Gulbadin Naib. Curran was dismissed by Sikandar Raza for three runs, putting the Vipers in a precarious position at 80/4 after 11.3 overs.

The disintegration continued as the Vipers were dismissed for 139 runs in 20 overs. Azam Khan (10) and Wanindu Hasaranga (13) made brief contributions before both were dismissed by Zahir Khan. Sherfane Rutherford offered a brief spark of optimism, hitting three sixes in his 27 runs from 24 balls, but Chameera dismissed him for the third time in the second-to-last over, curtailing his momentum.

Gulbadin Naib, the Player of the Match, said, “We were at the bottom of the table, thus we sought momentum.” Significant progress still to be made. Confronting bowlers of this caliber is challenging. Fortunately, I allowed myself some time. Following the drinks break, the staff remarked that I seemed well, prompting me to inform Sikandar that I would use my abilities.

Desert Vipers captain Lockie Ferguson said, “It was a challenging match.” We likely fell short by a few runs and missed many opportunities. The bowlers performed well, and the pitch exhibited spin. There is a rapid turnaround once again, however the players have been batting really well.

Desert Vipers were dismissed for 139 runs in 19.5 overs (Alex Hales 34; Dushmantha Chameera 3-26, Zahir Khan 3-34) and lost to Dubai Capitals, who scored 140/4 in 17.4 overs (Gulbadin Naib 78 not out; Lockie Ferguson 2-29), by six wickets.