ExxonMobil GSL: Shakib’s all-round brilliance leads Capitals to victory in GSL opener

Shakib Al Hasan starred on Wednesday morning as the second edition of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20 kicked off, as the Central Stags took on the Dubai Capitals at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

In slightly overcast conditions, Central Stags won the toss and elected to field first. The Dubai Capitals had a respectable start, but after 3.1 overs and a score of 24 for 1, Niroshan Dickwella was beautifully caught at extra cover by Will Young, costing them their first wicket.
Shortly after, the captain of the Dubai Capitals, Gulbadin Naib, also departed, as he was run out, with the score now at 31 for 2.
The Stags’ spinners continued to take wickets throughout the middle period, with Angus Schaw dismissing the West Indies duo of Kadeem Alleyne and Jordan Johnson for 3 and 1, respectively. Dean Foxcroft also was in the action as he bowled Capitals opening batsman Sediqullah Atal for a well-played 41 off 25 deliveries.

After 12 overs the score was 89 for 5 with Bangladesh veteran Shakib Al Hasan and Jesse Bootan at the crease. A crucial moment in the game, Ajaz Patel dropped Shakib Al Hasan at backward point off Blair Tickner’s bowling, giving him a lifeline.  However, Tickner would receive some compensation in the same over when he dismissed Bootan, who was caught behind.
Tickner was back in the action soon after, dismissing Dominic Drakes for 11 when he was caught at mid-off while attempting to inject some energy into the innings. Shakib Al Hasan made the most of his chance as he registered the first half-century of the Global Super League 2025. At a strike rate of 156.75, Shakib Al Hasan made 58 off 37 balls. His innings consisted of seven boundaries and one six as he propelled his team to a respectable total of 165 for 7 after their allotted 20 overs.
With a required run rate of 8.30 runs per over needed for victory, the Central Stags in their reply had a steady start to their innings, with New Zealand international batsman Will Young and wicketkeeper batsman Dane Cleaver putting on a 30-run opening stand.
Shakib Al Hasan had an immediate impact again, as in the first ball of his spell, he dismissed Will Young for 19, following a Capitals review of the umpire’s LBW decision. In the same over, the cunning left-arm spinner struck again, dismissing Foxcroft for a duck, as he had a double-wicket maiden in his first rotation. When the powerplay concluded, the Stags were 40 for the loss of two wickets.
Wickets continued to fall for the Stags throughout the middle overs as Cleaver (21) and Josh Clarkson (12) were bowled by Aryaman Varma and Shakib Al Hasan, respectively. After 11 overs, the Central Stags were 74 runs for the loss of 4 wickets.

The Central Stags had a chance due to a 43-run partnership between Clark and Captain Tom Bruce, which increased the score to 116 for 4.  After being brought back into the attack for his last over, Shakib Al Hasan bowled Clark for 20 to make a crucial breakthrough.  At an economy rate of 3.25 runs per over, the Bangladeshi all-rounder would finish his stint with 4 wickets for 13 runs.
Dominic Drakes struck in the 19th over of the game as he dismissed Bruce with a high full toss that was caught at cover. Bruce struggled throughout his innings as he made 34 from 30 balls at a strike rate of 87.1.
With the Central Stags’ innings ending at 144 for 8, the first game of the Global Super League 2025 belonged to the Dubai Capitals, who won by a margin of 22 runs.