Stage set for an intense battle in the DP World ILT20 season 2 play-offs

By K.R. Nayar
Chief Content Writer, DPWorld ILT20

(Please click ILT20 official website www.ilt20.ae for official release of this report and more pictures and videos)

Dubai. The stage is set for exhilarating and intense battle in the DP World ILT20 season 2 play-offs between the teams that clinched the top four slots. This edition’s matches were so closely fought that the line-up for the play-offs could not be decided till the last of the league round match. All the 30 league matches produced the best of cricket with many last over and last ball finishes and even a last ball six win. Hence, when the best of the four clash in the play-offs, they are bound to be nail-biting contests.

The play-offs commence with the Eliminator on February 13th (Tuesday) between Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Dubai Capitals at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, followed by the Qualifier 1 between MI Emirates and Gulf Giants to be played at the Dubai International Stadium on February 14th (Wednesday). Qualifier 2, between the winner of the Eliminator and the loser of Qualifier 1, will be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on February 15th (Thursday). These contests are bound to set ablaze the three venues with the teams likely to produce the best of T20 cricket.

The intensity of the oncoming clashes can be gauged by the fact that except for MI Emirates all the other teams had hit the rock bottom of the table and then fought back to qualify for the play-offs. Hence, these matches are expected to be a fine display of skills and determination. As the story of this edition has been so far, no team can be assured of a smooth sailing to the final to be played on February 17th (Saturday) between the winners of the Qualifier 1 and 2.

The DP World ILT20, with a total prize money of USD 1.3m, will see the winners walk away with a whopping $700,000 (USD) while the runners-up receive $300,000 (USD). The contest for the players who produced their best is also being keenly fought.  The best batter with most runs will receive the Green Belt and the bowler with most wickets will win the White Belt. The contest for the Blue Belt for the best UAE player also has  many contenders in this edition. The Most Valuable Player will get the Red Belt.  All the belt winners will receive USD 15,000 each. In the first edition, Alex Hales won the Green Belt, Chris Jordan bagged the Red Belt. and Muhammad Waseem won the Blue Belt. All Player of the Match winners as well as the Biggest Six of the Match receive $1500 each.

The large turnout for all the matches of this edition reflected the increasing following for this tournament. Cricket lovers are in for a treat over the next few days, and they will look forward to whether Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will be able to ride to victory or whether Dubai Capitals, by capitalizing on their skills, will pull off a victory in the Eliminator. Qualifier 1 will see whether last year’s winners Gulf Giants can produce their best and walk tall over MI Emirates, which has played brilliant cricket so far in this edition.

MI Emirates skipper Kieron Pollard had said: “Winning is a habit and so is losing. Going forward we need to try and plan well. It is a matter of planning and execution.” Pollard has the ammunition to win matches in his team.

 Gulf Giants skipper James Vince, who has shown the way through big scores, and is happy with the way his players have risen to the challenge, remarked: “Our last four games have been magnificent. The last two games, we were in the game and when our opponents were ahead in the game, we showed a lot of character to fight back.” Vince will want his players to display their same fighting spirit in the play-offs.

 Abu Dhabi Knight Riders skipper Sunil Narine, after a win, had said about how he goes about to win matches: “We tick a lot of boxes. Start with picking up wickets in the powerplay, and that sets the tone.”

 Sam Billings, skipper of the Dubai Capitals, enters the play offs, fully aware of his team’s drawbacks and strengths. After his team’s last match, he'd said: “If you look at this tournament, it is about trends. The key area where we have struggled is the powerplay. As regards our bowling, everyone wants the ball and that is always a positive.”

 All play-offs will commence from 6.30pm (UAE time).