ILT20 2023: Dubai Capitals appoint Yusuf Pathan skipper for remainder of the tournament

Dubai Capitals have named Yusuf Pathan as their skipper for the remainder of ongoing International League T20 ahead of their last league game against MI Emirates. The franchise released an official statement regarding the same. However, there was no update if Rovman Powell is available for the rest of the season or not. The Capitals are in a must-win situation at the moment to make it to the playoffs.

The side is currently at the fifth position in the points table with only three wins in nine games. While they have lost five matches, one of the matches ended in No Result. The Capitals had their fate in their own hands until their previous game. But the loss against Desert Vipers by 22 runs badly hurt their chances.

Yusuf Pathan, after being named the skipper, will now have the responsibility to inspire the team to a win by a huge margin in order to make their NRR better than Sharjah Warriors. But this won't be enough for them to qualify. Dubai will also have to pray that the Gulf Giants beat Sharjah Warriors in the final league stage game of the season.

Yusuf Pathan not in great form this season

Yusuf Pathan, ever since retiring from the sport, has more often than not dominated in the T20 leagues overseas. However, the man has not been in great form in the inaugural International League T20 season. He has so far scored 56 runs in six innings at an average of around 18 and a strike-rate of 114.28. Now that he is the skipper, Pathan will have to lead from the front in an attempt to take his team into the playoffs.

As for Powell, he will be a big miss if he is not playing the last league game for the Dubai Capitals. The Caribbean batter has been the top run-scorer for them amassing 320 runs in nine games at an average of 53.33 and a strike-rate of 164.94.