Defending champions Gulf Giants have been knocked out of the ongoing ILT20 2024 tournament after their 9-wicket loss at the hands of Dubai Capitals (DUB). After finishing in the 4th position, the Capitals displayed good form in the playoffs of ILT20 and sealed a place in the finals.
The finals of the ongoing tournament will be contested between MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals. It will be played on 17th February 2024 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and is slated to begin from 8:00 PM (IST).
Batting first, Gulf Giants could only post 138 runs on the board. Such a moderate score in a summit clash is never enough and it didn’t give enough freedom for the Giants bowlers in the 2nd innings.
Skipper James Vince was the top-scorer of Gulf Giants with a score of 58 runs in 53 balls and his innings was packed with 4 fours and 2 sixes and he had a strike-rate of 109.43.
Every bowler of Dubai Capitals except Zahir Khan bagged 1 wicket and it was their consistent performances with the white-cherry that helped them eke out a victory against Gulf Giants.
The batters of the Giants couldn’t get their bearings right in the Qualifier 2 and they could not target any single bowler, resulting in them losing out on this match of the ongoing ILT20 2024.
Dubai Capitals chased down the total without breaking too much of a sweat
The chase was facilitated by the openers of Dubai Capitals in the form of Leus du Plooy and Tom Banton. The duo put up a total opening stand of 98 runs and it was a walk in the park for Dubai Capitals in the end.
Leus du Plooy scored 63* runs in 40 balls and his innings was peppered with 5 fours and 3 sixes and it was the cynosure of all eyes. Tom Banton, who played as an impact player, mustered a knock of 38 runs in 38 balls.
Tom Abell, who came in at number 3, scored 20* runs in 18 balls. His knock was packed with 2 fours and 1 six. Liam Dawson was the only wicket-taker of Gulf Giants.
The finals of ILT20 2024 promises to be an absolute cracker-jack of a contest and we can expect a lot of high-octane action in this game between MI Emirates and Gulf Giants.
