Shakib Al Hasan once again proved his effectiveness with the ball. Although teammate Allah Ghazanfar is ahead in wickets, this Bangladeshi all-rounder was unique in keeping the runs down. Emirates easily defeated Dubai Capitals in the first qualifier of IL T20 (ILT20) with Shakib’s ‘keep’ bowling and Ghazanfar’s cannon.

​Ghazanfar’s cannon and Shakib’s control

​Electing to bat first after losing the toss at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Dubai Capitals faced the cannon of the Emirates bowlers. Although Afghan spinner Allah Ghazanfar was the man of the match with 3 wickets for 28 runs, Shakib’s bowling was worth watching.

​Shakib’s spell: He took 1 wicket in 4 overs for just 11 runs. ​Speciality: He did not concede a single boundary in the entire 24-ball spell. ​Success: Shakib dismissed opener Shayan Jahangir with the first ball of his first over (the fifth of the innings). In the ninth over, batters like Mohammad Nabi and Jordan Cox were able to take only 1 run from him.

​Statistics say that Shakib has only 8 records of conceding fewer runs in 4 overs in his T20 career. In 2013, 4 wickets for just 6 runs in the CPL was his career best economical bowling.

​Easy target and Emirates dominance

​Dubai managed to score only 122 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs with the controlled bowling of Shakib and Ghazanfar. In reply, Emirates won by 8 wickets with 20 balls in hand.

​Batting Performance:

​Keiron Pollard: 44* runs off 31 balls. ​Tom Banton: 28* runs off 20 balls. ​Muhammad Wasim: 27 runs off 19 balls. ​Gulf Giants ahead

​With this win, Emirates strengthened their top spot at the top of the table and secured their first qualifier. Their opponents in the fight to reach the final on December 30 are the powerful Gulf Giants. Who were the first to secure the play-offs and were showing dominance in the points table.