The ILT20 Thunderbolts bounced back from a two-match losing streak with two consecutive wins at the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament 2024.
Meanwhile, Dubai Capitals Development claimed a crucial victory to move to the top of the points table, and ILT20 Marvels delivered a dominant performance to secure a convincing win over the ILT20 Pearls. The second edition of the tournament provides the UAE players an opportunity of sealing one of the 12 remaining berths in the six DP World ILT20 Season 3 squads (two squad spots up for grabs in each team). On Saturday evening, ILT20 Thunderbolts registered a comprehensive 94-run victory over ILT20 Marvels. Put in first, the Thunderbolts posted a competitive total of 181/3 in 20 overs. Opener Luqman Faisal who is also the top scorer of the tournament, excelled again as he posted a 43-ball half century, joining Raees Ahmed in an 83-run alliance. Raees Ahmed and Rahul Chopra also struck half centuries scoring 68 runs and 54 runs respectively as they remained unbeaten in a brisk 82-run partnership.
In response, the Marvels fell considerably short at 87/10 in 15 overs. The Marvels only saw three batters reach the double figure mark, including Vishnu Sukumaran’s knock of 33 runs and Zawar Farid knock of 23 runs. For the Thunderbolts, Awais Ali Shah cleaned up the tail in his four-wicket spell while Umair Ali and Simranjeet Singh finished with two wickets each.
Earlier in the day, Dubai Capitals Development overcame Desert Vipers Development by 27 runs in a high-scoring encounter. The Capitals sailed to 217/2 in 20 overs as openers Muhammad Zohaib and Mayank combined for a colossal stand of 181 runs. Muhammad Zohaib remained unbeaten on 98 runs in 58 deliveries, with nine sixes and four fours. Mayank was also in stellar form as he struck 91 runs in 51 balls, studded with seven fours and six sixes before he was castled by Khuzaima Tanveer. Muhammad Farooq Momand also chipped in with 19 runs to ensure a strong finish.
The Vipers had a promising start to their run chase with half centuries from both openers. Tanish Suri raced to 69 runs in 37 balls while Taimoor Ali top scored with 84 runs in 47 balls. However, the innings lost momentum after both openers perished to leave the innings at 163/2 in 14.4 overs. Three wicket hauls from Haider Ali and Raja Akifullah Khan limited the Vipers to 190/10 in 19.4 overs Friday’s late-evening encounter saw ILT20 Marvels defeat ILT20 Pearls by nine wickets. Electing to bat first, the Pearls only managed a meagre total of 88/10. The Marvels put on a fine display with the ball as Nilansh Keswani scalped three wickets while Muhammad Rohid Khand, Sabir Ali and Zahoor Khan accounted for two wickets each.
The Marvels chased down the target with ease. Opener Ahmed Tariq’s cautious knock of 24 runs in 30 balls and Muhammed Waseem’s explosive innings of 34 runs in 15 balls ensured they would wrap up the innings in 11.4 overs with eight wickets in hand.
In the first match of the day on Friday, ILT20 Thunderbolts defeated Gulf Giants Development by eight runs. Put in first, the Thunderbolts lost both openers early but Luqman Faisal led the innings with a breezy knock of 46 runs in 27 balls including four maximums to place the Thunderbolts at 194/7. Raees Ahmed and Rahul Chopra made important middle-order contributions before Abdul Ghaffar smashed five sixes on his way to an 18-ball 38 and Muhammad Aftab Alam scored a brisk 27 runs in 15 balls. Meanwhile Zahid Muhammad was the pick of the Gulf Giants Development bowling attack with figures of 3/ 27.
In response, the Giants finished at 186/10 in 19.3 overs. While the Giants came close to the target they struggled to recover from the loss of early wickets, dwindling to 100/7 in 13 overs.
Muhammad Saghir Khan waged a lone battle with 69 runs in 24 balls, including six fours and six sixes. M. Jawadullah, Simranjeet Singh and Umair Ali each picked up two wickets to keep the Giants at bay.
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