WATCH - Sikandar Raza's last ball six helps Dubai Capitals beat Desert Vipers by five-wickets in ILT20

Six runs were needed off the last ball and Sikandar Raza hit a six over long-on. Raza hit five boundaries and two sixes. He remained not out at 60 off 45 balls.

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Mathew K
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Sikandar Raza

Sikandar Raza (Source - X)

37-year-old star all-rounder of Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza hit a last-ball six to help Dubai Capitals beat Desert Vipers by 5 wickets in match 27 of ILT20. 13 runs were needed off the last over. 19-year-old medium pacer from UAE, Ali Naseer, bowled the first five balls very well, but when six runs were needed off the last ball Sikandar Raza hit him a six over long-on. Raza hit five boundaries and two sixes. He remained not out at 60 off 45 balls.

At one time Dubai Capital was 32/3. Kudos to Raza and Sam Billings for their magnificent 79-run partnership in just 54 balls for the fourth wicket. Sam Billings scored 57 off 36 balls which included 5 fours and 2 sixes.

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“I said to myself, I don’t think he will go short as I had hit one earlier out of the ground. I will hold my shape and try and hit it in the air and hit it as well as I can,” Sikandar Raza said after the match.

Raza praised 19-year-old bowler Ali Naseer

“Naseer bowled really well; these are things we have learnt all through our careers. For a 19-year-old to bowl the final over fantastic, and he nearly won it for them. It could’ve gone either way; but sorry we needed that win tonight. The first thing that comes is the faith that keeps me going.”

Desert Vipers had posted a total of  171 for 7 in the first innings. Thanks to Alex Hales’ 66 off just 37 balls. The England batter hit 4 fours and 6 mammoth sixes. Billings was pleased to watch Raza’s knock and said: “Raza has shown his true character and skill. I told him that one shot could get him back. We just had to hang in there and the spinners did a fantastic job, and they changed the game. We needed to win tonight and we can deal with tomorrow. Very proud of the efforts.”

Desert Vipers’ skipper, Colin Munro scored only 6 runs off 5 balls. He looked very disappointed after the loss, he said: “They bowled exceptionally well, but we lost wickets in clumps which never helps. The top two played well but unfortunately, we did not kick on. Credit to Ali Naseer, he bowled really well, he will be in those situations a lot of times in the future. Good for us for next year as well.”

Sikandar Raza