MI Emirates confirmed their place in the ILT20 playoffs with a convincing eight-wicket victory over the Gulf Giants in Abu Dhabi. The triumph was built on a disciplined bowling performance complemented by a spectacular 140-run unbeaten partnership for the third wicket between Nicholas Pooran (69*) and Muhammad Waseem (59*). The defeat leaves the Gulf Giants in a precarious position, having lost six of their last seven matches, and now needing a win against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to keep their playoff hopes alive.
After winning the toss, the Gulf Giants elected to bat and started positively, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz launching a six and a four. However, he was soon castled by Fazalhaq Farooqi in the third over. Captain James Vince followed shortly after, dismissed by Romario Shepherd, leaving the Giants 16 for 2. Asif Khan offered brief resistance with a six and a four, but also fell to Shepherd, leaving the Giants 36 for 3 at the end of the PowerPlay.
The middle overs proved difficult for the Giants, as wickets continued to tumble. Lorcan Tucker hit two boundaries before falling to Arab Gul Momand, while Moeen Ali and Kyle Mayers tried to accelerate, scoring 55 runs between overs 7 and 15. The duo brought some momentum in the final five overs, with Moeen reaching a patient 51 off 45 balls, as the Giants finished on a respectable 141/6.
MI Emirates’ chase began with early drama as Mark Adair had Jonny Bairstow adjudged LBW for a duck, though ball-tracking suggested it was missing the stumps. Azmatullah Omarzai removed Tom Banton in the next over, leaving MIE 2 for 2. Pooran and Waseem then consolidated brilliantly, finding boundaries in each PowerPlay over to reach 33/2.
Waseem attacked from the outset, while Pooran initially struggled, scoring 19 off 28 balls. Once he settled, Pooran unleashed his power, bringing up his first fifty of the season alongside the 100-run partnership. Both batters accelerated through the final overs, with Waseem clearing the ropes twice and Pooran hitting consecutive sixes off Adair, before a wide in the 17th over sealed the eight-wicket victory.
Key Performances
| Team | Player | Runs | Balls | Wickets | Overs | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf Giants | Moeen Ali | 51 | 45 | – | – | – |
| Gulf Giants | Kyle Mayers | 28 | – | – | – | – |
| Gulf Giants | Fazalhaq Farooqi | – | – | 2 | 4 | 4.25 |
| MI Emirates | Nicholas Pooran | 69* | – | – | – | – |
| MI Emirates | Muhammad Waseem | 59* | – | – | – | – |
| MI Emirates | Azmatullah Omarzai | – | – | 1 | 4 | 5.00 |