Dubai Capitals scripted history by claiming their first-ever ILT20 title with a dramatic four-wicket triumph over Desert Vipers on Sunday, 9 February. Chasing a daunting 190-run target, Rovman Powell’s powerful 63 off 38 balls and Sikandar Raza’s breathtaking 34* off just 12 deliveries turned the tide in the Capitals’ favor.
Despite an excellent 76 from Max Holden and a fiery 62* from Sam Curran, the Vipers were denied glory as Raza’s late blitz secured the Capitals’ victory with four balls to spare.
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Vipers Lay a Solid Foundation Through Holden and Curran
Desert Vipers, opting to bat first, endured an early setback as Alex Hales started aggressively but perished quickly, mistiming a shot to midwicket off Obed McCoy. The Vipers faced another blow when Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell in similar fashion, leaving them in a tricky position inside the powerplay.
However, Max Holden counterattacked in style, unleashing a series of boundaries to propel the Vipers forward. The left-hander reached his fifty off just 32 balls, ensuring momentum stayed with his side. His efforts, combined with Dan Lawrence’s stability, helped the Vipers reach 76/3 at the halfway mark.
Sam Curran then took center stage, rotating strike effectively and finding the boundary at regular intervals. His clean hitting, particularly in the death overs, proved instrumental. A 16-run 18th over off McCoy and a 14-run over off Qais Ahmad added valuable runs, ensuring the Vipers posted a competitive 189/5 in 20 overs. Curran remained unbeaten on 62 off 33 balls, anchoring the finish with a fine exhibition of power-hitting.
Early Wickets Leave Capitals in a Spot of Trouble
Chasing a challenging target, Dubai Capitals got off to a shaky start. David Warner found the fence early but was undone by an inside edge off David Payne. Gulbadin Naib soon followed, trapped LBW by Mohammad Amir, further denting the Capitals’ hopes.
The Vipers’ disciplined bowling attack kept the pressure on, and when Sam Billings gloved a slower delivery from Amir, the Capitals were in deep trouble at 31/3 within the first six overs. With the asking rate climbing, the Capitals needed a partnership, and that’s precisely what Rovman Powell and Shai Hope provided.
Powell and Hope Anchor the Chase with Grit and Firepower
Powell had an early stroke of luck when Azam Khan failed to execute a stumping chance, but the West Indian capitalized on the reprieve. He immediately took on Nathan Sowter, smashing a six and following it up with two boundaries off Sam Curran in a momentum-shifting 16-run over.
At the other end, Hope played a measured innings, providing stability while Powell unleashed his brute force. The duo’s 80-run partnership steered the Capitals past the halfway mark, ensuring they stayed within touching distance of the required rate.
Even after Hope fell to a well-disguised slower ball from Curran, Powell kept the chase on track, receiving support from Dasun Shanaka. The two combined to add 41 runs, with Shanaka surviving a dropped chance off Sowter and Powell continuing to attack. Powell’s half-century came off just 30 deliveries, keeping his side firmly in the contest.
Raza’s Heroics Seal a Historic Triumph
With 65 needed off the last five overs, Powell and Shanaka kept the Capitals in the hunt. The pair targeted Curran in the 16th over, each hitting a six to bring the equation down to a manageable 49 off 24 balls.
However, when Shanaka fell to Payne and Powell departed soon after, the match hung in the balance. With 37 required from three overs, the pressure mounted. Enter Sikandar Raza.
The Zimbabwean all-rounder wasted no time, striking two boundaries off Sowter before turning the game on its head in the penultimate over. Facing Amir, Raza produced a masterclass in finishing, smashing three fours and reducing the equation to just nine runs from six balls.
With victory in sight, Raza finished in style, launching Khuzaima Tanveer for a massive six off the first ball of the final over before sealing the deal with a boundary. The Capitals erupted in celebration as they became the third team to lift the ILT20 trophy, completing a thrilling chase that will be remembered for years to come.
Desert Vipers: 189/5 in 20 overs (Max Holden 76, Sam Curran 62*; Obed McCoy 2-44)
Dubai Capitals: 191/6 in 19.2 overs (Rovman Powell 63, Shai Hope 43, Sikandar Raza 34*; David Payne 2-28)
Result: Dubai Capitals won by 4 wickets.
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FAQs
Who won the ILT20 2025 final?
Dubai Capitals clinched their maiden ILT20 title with a thrilling four-wicket win over Desert Vipers.
How did Rovman Powell and Sikandar Raza contribute to the victory?
Powell scored a match-winning 63 off 38 balls, while Raza’s explosive 34* off 12 balls sealed the chase in the final over.
What was the final score in the ILT20 2025 final?
Desert Vipers posted 189/5 in 20 overs, but Dubai Capitals chased it down with 191/6 in 19.2 overs.
Who were the standout performers for Desert Vipers?
Max Holden (76 off 51) and Sam Curran (62* off 33) were the top scorers, while David Payne took 2/28 with the ball.
How did Dubai Capitals recover after early wickets?
Shai Hope and Powell added an 80-run stand, followed by a late blitz from Raza to secure the win.
