CD vs DC | Dubai Capitals beat Central Districts by 22 runs in GSL 2025 opener

The Districts’ skipper, Tom Bruce, won the toss and asked the Dubai Capitals to bat first; the Capitals posted a decent total of 165/7 in the allotted 20 overs in the first innings. The veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hassan played an unbeaten knock of 58 runs off just 37 balls, with seven fours and a six. Earlier in the innings, opener Sediqullah Atal also played a quick fiery knock of 41 runs off just 25 balls, with four fours and two sixes. Besides these two, the lower-middle order batter, Jesse Bootan, also contributed with 20 runs off 11 balls, with four fours.

Angus Shaw scalped three wickets at 27 runs in his four overs for the Central Districts in the first innings, alongside two wickets picked by Blair Tickner at 27 runs in four overs. Besides these two, Dean Foxcroft also claimed a wicket at 23 runs in three overs.

While defending the target, the Dubai Capitals’ bowling attack, led by the veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, restricted the Districts to a score of 143/8 in the entire 20 overs. Skipper Tom Bruce scored 34 runs off 39 balls, with three fours for his side during the run chase. Besides him, Dane Cleaver and William Clark were the only two batters to score 20-plus individual runs, with 21 and 20 runs, respectively.

Shakib Al Hasan bowled a match-winning and sensational spell, scalping four wickets at just 13 runs in his four overs, including a maiden over. Besides him, Khuzaima also picked two wickets, alongside a wicket each bagged by Dominic Drakes and Aryaman Varma. Eventually, the Capitals won the game by 22 runs to get off the mark in the tournament with a winning start.

The Capitals’ all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his decisive all-round performance.