Cricket News International League T20 2023

'Capitals ruling everywhere'- Twitter overjoyed as Dubai Capitals make a winning start at International League T20

Dubai Capitals beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 73 runs in the first match of International League T10, 2023.

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Rovman Powell

Rovman Powell: (Image Source: Twitter)

Rovman Powell Rovman Powell: (Image Source: Twitter)

The International T20 League 2023 began on Friday with a much-anticipated encounter between Dubai Capitals and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Dubai Capitals put in a sensational batting effort to notch a formidable score of 187 runs in the first innings. Robin Uthappa provided a perfect start with a 33-ball 43-run knock, an inning that was laced with 3 fours and 2 sixes.

He opened the innings with Joe Root, who contributed 26 runs in 21 deliveries. Later, Rajapaksa wreaked havoc with the bat as he smashed 48 runs in just 29 deliveries at a strike rate of 165.52. Sikandar Raza also made his presence felt with a 17-ball 26-run knock with the bat.

As for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ bowling unit, Andre Russell (1 for 31) and Sunil Narine (1 for 28) came up with impressive performances. Ali Khan and Rampaul picked two wickets each but proved to be expensive as well.

In pursuit of the target, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders were restricted to just 114 runs in the second innings. Paul Sterling played a stellar knock of 54 runs in 38 balls but wickets kept falling at the other end.

Andre Russell (12) was the only other batter who scored runs in double-digits. The rest of the batters failed to hit the straps, courtesy of a combined bowling effort from the Capitals.

Udana first had Colin Ingram (1) in the first over, while Brandon King departed off Akif Raja in the 5th over of the innings. On the last ball of the 10th over, Rovman Powell accounted for the wicket of Zawar Farid (9) to leave the team in trouble at 71 for 3.

In a bid to keep up with the required rate, the Knight Riders kept losing wickets at regular intervals and never got close to the target. Akif Raja, Mujeeb Ur-Rahman, and Rovman Powell returned with two wickets each to their name.

Here's a look at how fans reacted to the first game of the tournament:

Cricket News ILT20 Joe Root Twitter Reactions International League T20