ILT20: Sam Billings relives the great escape against Desert Vipers in final

Dubai: Under the bright lights at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the DP World ILT20 Season 3 final was slipping away from the Dubai Capitals. A flurry of late runs had put the Desert Vipers in control, and early wickets only deepened the crisis. But when the pressure was at its peak, the Capitals found a way back. With Rovman Powell’s resilience, Shai Hope’s composure, and Sikandar Raza’s finishing touch, they turned the tide to claim their maiden title in dramatic fashion.

The Capitals had their backs against the wall after conceding too many runs in the final four overs, allowing the Vipers to post a daunting 190. Their troubles deepened when David Warner, Gulbadin Naib, and skipper Sam Billings fell early, leaving their chase in tatters. But Powell and Hope steadied the innings with an 80-run stand before Sikandar Raza applied the finishing touches, guiding the Capitals to a four-wicket victory and their first ILT20 title.

“A target of 190 was always going to be tough,” admitted Billings during a press conference, the glittering trophy beside him. “They batted brilliantly towards the back end. Sam Curran was striking the ball well, and he is a quality performer. We didn’t execute our plans well, and such things can happen in high-pressure matches, especially when the momentum shifts. You have to credit their batting as well.

“And the way they bowled, with the ball swinging in the fifth over, made it really hard for us. So we were right up against some quality opposition. But the way we came back, with a bit of luck, shows the character of the team. You can’t give second chances to players like Rovman Powell. He changed the game,” the England batter said, reflecting on the crucial moment that turned the match.

Powell was dismissed, stumped off leg-spinner Nathan Sowter, but he was called back after wicketkeeper Azam Khan collected the ball in front of the stumps. That reprieve allowed the Capitals to recover, as Powell and Hope put on a crucial partnership that shifted the momentum.

Finally, Sikandar Raza once again proved why he is one of the best in franchise cricket, staying calm under pressure to steer the Capitals home.

“I have told Sikandar in the last couple of games that he was going to be the guy to hit the winning runs. We knew the impact he could potentially make. Sikandar, Rovman, and Hope are all different, but they complement each other’s skills. And to have experience in those moments is priceless because you know Sikandar has done it all around the world,” Billings said, praising his teammates.

Billings also pointed out that the Vipers’ bowling lacked depth in the absence of skipper Lockie Ferguson and Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, which factored into the Capitals’ strategy.

“We had the firepower, and it was about holding our nerve. Obviously, they didn’t have Hasaranga, and Ferguson was a big miss for them. So we knew that if we took the game deep, their death bowling probably wasn’t as strong as it had been previously. That was the thinking — it was about staying composed and taking it right down to the last.”

England all-rounder Sam Curran, however, refused to attribute the Vipers’ defeat to the absence of Hasaranga and Ferguson.

“Those types of players are going to add strength to any team, but I thought we had a strong squad and completely backed them to do the job. It just didn’t go our way. I am proud to be involved in such a game, and I’m sure the crowd enjoyed it,” he said, masking his disappointment after the Vipers fell at the final hurdle for the second time in three seasons.

For the Dubai Capitals, this was more than just a win — it was a testament to their resilience. From early setbacks to seizing the big moments, they showed the grit required to become champions. As the players lifted the trophy under the floodlights, it was clear that this triumph was built not just on talent, but on belief and the ability to thrive under pressure.