MI Emirates cemented their place in the International League T20 (ILT20) 2024 playoffs with a comprehensive eight-wicket triumph over the Gulf Giants at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. A clinical bowling performance laid the foundation, which was then spectacularly built upon by a blistering, unbroken 140-run stand between Nicholas Pooran and Muhammad Waseem.
Bowlers Set the Stage for Comfortable Chase
The Gulf Giants, put into bat, were stifled from the very beginning by a disciplined MI Emirates bowling attack. Romario Shepherd struck two crucial blows within the powerplay, setting a restrictive tone. The pressure was maintained through the middle overs by the accurate spells of Fazalhaq Farooqi and Akeal Hosein, making it difficult for the Giants' batters to break free.
Despite a fighting 51 off 48 balls from Moeen Ali and a late cameo from Kyle Mayers (28*), the Giants never found the momentum needed for a big total. They limped to a below-par score of 141 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. Farooqi was the pick of the bowlers with excellent figures of 2 for 17.
Pooran and Waseem's Masterclass Seals the Deal
The Emirates' chase began disastrously, losing both openers—Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton—with just two runs on the board. However, that early setback only set the stage for a remarkable counter-attack. Nicholas Pooran and Muhammad Waseem joined forces and orchestrated a magnificent, match-winning partnership.
They cautiously navigated the early movement, reaching 58 for 2 at the halfway stage. Post the 10th over, they shifted gears dramatically. Waseem, playing with controlled aggression, brought up his maiden fifty of the season in just 38 deliveries. Pooran, the more explosive of the two, reached his half-century in 43 balls and then unleashed a barrage of sixes.
The pair added 84 runs in a mere 6.3 overs, completely dismantling the Giants' bowling attack. Pooran finished unbeaten on a powerful 69 off 49 balls, which included six maximums. Waseem provided the perfect foil, remaining not out on a well-compiled 59 from 42 deliveries. Their unbroken 140-run partnership guided MI Emirates to victory with a whopping 21 balls to spare.
Post-Match Reactions and Looking Ahead
Player of the Match, Muhammad Waseem, revealed the simple plan he and Pooran followed. "We spoke in the middle about the movement early on," Waseem said. "The focus was simply to survive the first three or four overs and build a partnership. Once we got through that phase, we were able to settle into our natural game and wait for the loose deliveries."
Gulf Giants captain James Vince rued another poor start with the bat. "We were short of runs again," Vince admitted. "Batting first, we’re struggling to assess the right tempo and what a competitive total looks like. Losing early wickets really knocked the momentum out of our innings."
This victory marks MI Emirates' fourth consecutive win in the tournament, underlining their form and making them one of the strongest contenders for the ILT20 title. The Giants, meanwhile, will need to reassess their strategies quickly as the league stage reaches its climax.
Brief Scores:
Gulf Giants: 141/6 in 20 overs (Moeen Ali 51, Kyle Mayers 28*; Fazalhaq Farooqi 2/17, Romario Shepherd 2/36)
MI Emirates: 142/2 in 16.3 overs (Nicholas Pooran 69*, Muhammad Waseem 59*; Azmatullah Omarzai 1/20)
