When it comes to the United Arab Emirates, you can’t forget to talk about Dubai and when it comes to the UAE T20 league, you can’t forget Dubai Capitals. Like the other five franchises, DC are also gearing up for the first edition of the ILT20 league.
The team has got some star T20 performers and has selected a well-balanced squad. We will discuss their squad’s strong and weak points and also how far they can go in the competition.
So, without wasting any time, let’s begin.
Dubai Capitals Team Owner
Just like Delhi Capitals, Dubai Capitals is also owned by GMR Group. The owner of this company is GM Rao, who is a well-known industrialist.
Dubai Capitals Squad Breakdown
Batsmen: Dasun Shanaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Hazratullah Zazai, Dan Lawrence, Rovman Powell, Niroshan Dickwella, and George Munsey
All-rounders: Sikandar Raza and Fabian Allen
Bowlers: Dushmantha Chameera, Blessing Muzarabani, Isuru Udana, Fred Klaassen, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman
DC Likely Starting XI
Dubai Capitals squad suggests that their first choice XI could be:
- Dan Lawrence
- Local 1
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa
- Sikandar Raza
- Rovman Powell
- Dasun Shanaka
- Fabian Allen
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Blessing Muzarabani
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Local 2
Dubai Capitals Squad Strengths
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The Spin Trio
DC have three settled spin bowling options in their squad. Mujeeb, Raza, and Allen are three finger spinners whom their side can bank on.
Mujeeb ur Rahman in particular is a T20 star with 211 wickets in this format. For someone just 21 years old, it’s indeed a remarkable achievement. Moreover, his economy rate in T20 cricket is just 5.88. You may struggle to find a handful of bowlers who have been that economical in this format.
Not just that, Mujeeb has the ability to bowl at any stage of an innings. He delivers in the powerplay, he can get through a couple of quick overs in the middle phase, and he can bowl even at the death. That’s why Mujeeb is a priceless asset to have in a T20 team.
Sikandar Raza and Fabian Allen are as good as Mujeeb ur Rahman. But, they are certainly handy with the ball in hand.
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Dangerous Batting Order
The Capitals have 4 destructive power hitters in their middle order. Rajapaksa, Raza, Powell, and Shanaka make their middle order an invincible one. With these guys in the middle, DC will be hard to contain during the middle phase.
Dubai Capitals have an abundance of solid top-order batters in their squad. Zazai, Dickwella, Munsey, and Lawrence can all do that job pretty well for them. It’s hard to say which two out of these four get a go at the top, but all are good enough to make a mark during the powerplay.
Dubai Capitals Squad Weaknesses
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Absence of a Specialist New-Ball Bowler
In their fast bowling department, DC have roped in the likes of Muzarabani, Udana, and Chameera. All these speedsters are immensely talented and are well-suited for the T20 format. However, none of them is a new ball specialist, who can utilize the early seam and swing on offer in UAE conditions.
Also, the pace attack is heavily short on experience. It’s hard to say which one of them will lead the attack and who will sit out. Therefore, the inexperience in pace bowling and the absence of a specialist new ball quick may haunt them.
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Absence of an Anchor
The middle order looks dangerous but lacks a calming figure. Ideally, they would love to have someone who can provide stability at one end. But, there’s no such batter in their squad at the moment.
Rajapaksa, Raza, Powell, and Shanaka are all one-dimension players who like to go after the bowling. It’s important to have an attacking mindset in T20 cricket but the importance of having a dynamic batting lineup can’t be neglected.
DC ILT20 Performance Prediction
Dubai Capitals must enter the playoff stage due to their spin trio and destructive batting lineup. But, their pace attack doesn’t look heavily impressive and due to that reason, the chances of seeing DC in finals are not too bright.
So, Dubai Capitals will likely end their ILT20 league in the playoff stages.
