ILT20 2023: Twitter reacts as Desert Vipers cement top spot with dominant win over Dubai Capitals

Desert Vipers continue their good run with another crucial 22-run win over Dubai Capitals in the 25th match of the International League T20 2023 (ILT20 2023) on Thursday (February 2). Sam Billings and Sherfane Rutherford registered half-centuries to help the Vipers score 182/7, while batting first. Then in-form Caribbean pacer, Sheldon Cottrell, and England's Luke Wood took two wickets each to restrict the Capitals to just 160/7 in 20 overs. 

Rovman Powell won the toss and elected to field first at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. His decision to bowl first seemed successful with Fred Klaassen and Yusuf Pathan taking big wickets early in the form of Alex Hales and Colin Munro. Rohan Mustafa scored 31 off 21 but failed to convert it into a big knock as the Vipers struggled in the first ten overs. 

But Billings and Rutherford pulled off a defining 80-run stand for the fifth wicket to guide Vipers to a comfortable total. Billings top-scored 54 off 48 while Rutherford smashed 50 off just 23 balls with the help of six sixes, including five in a row to Yusuf Pathan, in the 16th over. Fred Klaassen took three wickets for 34 while Yusuf Pathan, Chamika Karunaratne, and Adam Zampa grabbed one each for the Capitals.

Cottrell gave the Vipers a flying start with George Munsey's wicket with just 11 runs on the scoreboard. Robin Uthappa and Sikandar Raza kept the Capitals alive in their chase with the former scoring 30 off 21 and the latter smashing quick 41. But the Capitals kept losing the wickets and struggled to form meaningful partnerships. 

Powell added 33 off 25 to show little resistance, but he didn't get any support from the lower order. Adam Zampa smashed two fours in the last over but the Capitals managed to score just 160/7 in 20 overs. 

Dubai Capitals remain in the fifth position with just three wins from the opening nine games while the Vipers cement their top position with seven wins from nine opening matches. With just one game in hand, the Capitals are unlikely to secure qualification for the knockout stages. 

Here is how Twitter is reacting to Desert Vipers' dominating win over Dubai Capitals: