Nabi's all-round show catapults Capitals to victory

Mohammad Nabi's all-round effort set the platform for a clinical 63-run victory as Dubai Capitals downed Sharjah Warriorz. After Sediqullah Atal's maiden ILT20 half-century set the tone, Nabi's unbeaten 38 off 19 balls propelled Capitals to 180 for 6.

The bowlers then delivered a disciplined display to bundle the Warriorz out well short of the target. Waqar Salamkheil (3-22) and Nabi (3-23) led the charge, ably supported by Haider Ali and Mustafizur Rahman, as Capitals handed the Warriorz their fourth defeat in six matches.

Asked to bat, Capitals had an early setback with Shayan Jahangir falling in the opening over. But Atal set the tone through the PowerPlay. Jordan Cox provided brisk support with a 28 off 19 before Taskin Ahmed accounted for him. Atal carried on unfazed, bringing up his maiden ILT20 fifty.

The momentum briefly stalled when Adil Rashid removed Leus du Plooy, but Nabi ensured the innings kicked on at the death. Drafted in as a super sub, he smashed 38 off 19. Taskin struck back with a decisive final spell to finish with 3 for 40, yet Nabi's assault lifted Capitals to 180 for 6.

In the chase, the Warriorz never quite found momentum. Mustafizur Rahman struck early to remove Johnson Charles. Haider Ali then made decisive inroads, accounting for Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Tom Abell to leave the chase wobbling at 45 for 5. Sikandar Raza briefly counter-punched, but regular wickets meant the asking rate kept climbing.

James Rew was the lone source of resistance, compiling 47 off 38 balls, but he found little support as Waqar Salamkheil and Nabi ran through the middle and lower order. Nabi returned to finish the job, cleaning up the tail and finally bowling Rew.

Brief scores: Dubai Capitals 180/6 in 20 overs (Sediqullah Atal 66, Mohammad Nabi 38*; Taskin Ahmed 3-40) beat Sharjah Warriorz 117 in 17 overs (James Rew 47; Waqar Salamkheil 3-22, Mohammad Nabi 3-23) by 63 runs.