Pepper, Narine lead Knight Riders to 50-run victory over Capitals

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders stayed in the hunt for the DP World ILT20 Season 4 title after sealing a 50-run win over the Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.

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After an impressive opening partnership between Michael Pepper and Phil Salt, the spin department of the Knight Riders ensured that the Capitals were unable to recover from their early blows.

Pepper hit his second consecutive half-century, finishing on 72 runs in 49 balls including seven fours and three sixes. His 122-run opening-wicket partnership off just 81 balls with Phil Salt (43 off 34) led the charge, but the Capitals' bowlers wrestled back control with seven wickets for 36 runs to restrict the Knight Riders to 158/7.

In response, Spinners Sunil Narine, Jason Holder and Liam Livingstone bagged three wickets each to keep control of the game throughout and seal an impressive win, bundling out the Capitals for 108.

Chasing 159, the Capitals endured a bruising power play as Abu Dhabi Knight Riders ripped through their top order. Jason Holder set the tone in the second over, removing Toby Albert (11 off 8), before Ajay Kumar delivered a crucial blow in the next over to dismiss Jordan Cox (10 off 5).