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🌟 Vintage Shakib Powers Dubai Capitals
Bangladesh’s T20 maestro Shakib Al Hasan rolled back the years with a cool-headed, unbeaten 58 off 39 balls*, anchoring the Dubai Capitals to a competitive 165/6 against the Joburg Titans in the high-octane opener of the Global Super League 2025 (GSL).
🗨️ “It felt good to stay till the end. We knew 160-plus would be tricky on this pitch.”
— Shakib Al Hasan, Player of the Match
📊 Dubai Capitals Innings Summary
| Batter | Runs (Balls) | SR | 4s/6s |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Clarke | 22 (17) | 129.4 | 3/1 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 30 (19) | 157.9 | 4/2 |
| Rovman Powell (C) | 11 (8) | 137.5 | 1/0 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 58 (39)* | 148.7 | 5/2 |
| Jordan Cox | 21 (15) | 140.0 | 2/1 |
| Dominic Drakes | 12 (9) | 133.3 | 1/0 |
| Extras | 11 | ||
| Total | 165/6 (20) |
📌 Fall of wickets: 43/1 → 67/2 → 92/3 → 115/4 → 142/5 → 153/6
🧠 Key Takeaways
✅ Shakib’s Calm: Played the perfect anchor role with a 360° game — wristy flicks, late cuts, and lofted drives
✅ Smart Partnerships: Added 50+ runs with Cox and Drakes
✅ Spin Shield: Tackled leg-spin threat Tabraiz Shamsi with sweep-and-reverse mastery
🎯 Match-defining moment: Shakib hit back-to-back boundaries off Nortje in the 18th over to swing the momentum.
🎤 What They Said
🗣️ Rovman Powell (DC Captain):
“That’s why Shakib’s a legend — ice in his veins and class with the bat.”
🗣️ Opposition Skipper (Joburg Titans):
“He played smart cricket. We gave him just enough room, and he punished us.”
🌍 GSL 2025 – Match 1 Result Snapshot
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Dubai Capitals vs Joburg Titans | Dubai Capitals: 165/6 (20) Joburg Titans: 152/9 (20) |
| Winner | Dubai Capitals won by 13 runs |
| POTM | Shakib Al Hasan (58 & 1/22)* |
🧾 Editor’s Take
Composed, clinical, and classic — Shakib Al Hasan once again proved why he’s a T20 titan. With a steady hand in chaos and unmatched experience, he ensured Dubai started their GSL 2025 journey with a winning statement.
In a league packed with stars, Shakib’s light still burns the brightest.
