1.10am  Right then, that’s a wrap for the opening game of the third edition of the International League T20, where the Dubai Capitals have turned the tables on last season’s finale loss to the MI Emirates, starting this campaign in spectacular style. The action continues with an exhilarating double-header Super Sunday on the 12th of January, 2025. In the first game, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will take on the Desert Vipers, while the second match will see the Gulf Giants lock horns with the Sharjah Warriors. The first ball of the opening game will be bowled at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT), and as always, we’ll bring you all the build-up and excitement well before the start. Mark your reminders, as it promises to be a thrilling day of T20 action! Until then, it’s goodbye from us, and see you soon!

1.06am  GULBADIN NAIB IS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his outstanding bowling. He says that it is one of the biggest leagues and he is happy to contribute to the team’s win. Adds that the total wasn’t good and they were short by 10-15 runs. Mentions that the wicket was looking difficult at first but they stuck to the plans. Concludes that the ball was seaming and that was helping the bowlers and it was not easy for batters to just go and hit straightaway.

1.05am  The captain of Dubai Capitals, Sikandar Raza says that the team held their nerves well. Shares that he is glad with the way every bowler responded. Tells that it was not a 180-run wicket and at the halfway mark, they thought 150 would have been a good total. Adds that the talk was about staying calm and sticking to Test match bowling. Feels that while chasing these totals, batting teams tend to kill the chase early and Olly Stone helped them prevent MI from doing that. States that he felt that the game was running away from them which is why he took the strategic break earlier and did not wait till the 16th over.

12.59am  Nicholas Pooran, the skipper of MI Emirates is up for a chat. He says that it was a wonderful game of cricket. Adds that they were unlucky that they couldn’t get over the line but overall, satisfied with the performances. Mentions that their bowling was wonderful especially Fazalhaq Farooqi and the spinners were also good on the pitch. States that they wanted to win this first game, but the result hasn’t gone their way and they will come back stronger in the next one. Concludes that Akeal Hosein had a good partnership with him and they wanted to slow things down in the middle to try and win it.

12.57am  It's time for the Presentation Ceremony...

12.57am  Earlier in the game, the MI Emirates bowlers were relentless, leaving no room for the Dubai Capitals' batters to settle. Early strikes had the Capitals in trouble, but Brandon McMullen stood firm, capitalizing on some fielding lapses and finding brief support from Rovman Powell to rebuild. However, both failed to push on and once Brandon fell after a well-made half-century, the Capitals' innings collapsed like a house of cards. Fazalhaq Farooqi was the chief destroyer, delivering a sensational five-wicket haul for just 16 runs, helping Emirates restrict the Capitals to a mere 133 runs.

12.56am  With just 32 runs needed from 28 balls, it seemed MI Emirates were cruising to victory, until Gulbadin Naib broke the momentum by removing Akeal Hosein, ever so slightly opening the door for a dramatic turn. What followed was a thunderous knock on that door from the Dubai Capitals. Naib, with his precision and clever variations, struck again, sending Nicholas Pooran back to the pavilion and triggering a mini-collapse that brought the Capitals roaring back into the game. Although Kieron Pollard remained at the crease, the required couple of big hits were elusive. Unable to find his rhythm in the final overs, MI Emirates succumbed to the mounting pressure, losing a game they had firmly in their grasp by a heartbreaking single run.

12.51am  Chasing a modest target of 134 runs, MI Emirates were handed the worst possible start, losing 4 wickets for a mere 23 runs. Olly Stone spearheaded the early collapse, with his relentless pace, while his bowling partner at the other end also kept up the pressure. However, Akeal Hosein and Nicholas Pooran refused to panic, calmly weathering the storm and taking their time to settle in. Once they found their rhythm, runs started flowing freely. Their crucial 79-run partnership for the fifth wicket breathed life back into the chase, but even then, the road ahead remained far from easy.

12.48am  DUBAI CAPITALS WIN BY 1 RUN! The 20-year-old Farhan Khan kept his composure and defended 12 runs in the final over, with the formidable Kieron Pollard standing between him and victory. Against all odds, the Dubai Capitals snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, avenging their heartbreaking loss in last season's finale with a thrilling win in this season's opener. A low-scoring thriller that had us on the edge of our seats from start to finish. An electrifying way to kick off the ILT20 season!