MI Emirates Secure Crucial Five-Wicket Victory Over Gulf Giants in DP World ILT20

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC -West Indies batsman Nicholas Pooran delivered a masterclass performance under pressure to steer his MI Emirates side to a crucial five-wicket victory over the Gulf Giants in match 26 of the DP World ILT20 at the Dubai International Stadium here Friday.

The MI Emirates skipper Pooran slammed an unbeaten 58 off 37 balls to earn him the Player of the Match award as the Emirates chased down the 174 needed to secure victory.

Match Summary

Sent into bat, the Gulf Giants made a promising start, thanks to openers Gerhard Erasmus and James Vince, who quickly found the boundaries. However, Akeal Hosein gave MI Emirates an early breakthrough, dismissing Erasmus for 12 in the third over.

Vince then found an able partner in Jordan Cox as they guided the Giants to 52-1 at the end of the powerplay. Their 51-run stand kept the scoreboard ticking, but Alzarri Joseph ended Cox’s innings in the 10th over for 20.

Vince compiled a well-earned half-century, and he was soon joined by Shimron Hetmyer as the pair looked set for an explosive finish.

A crucial 19-run 16th over gave the Giants a late boost, but MI Emirates tightened their grip soon after, dismissing Hetmyer for 15 and Vince for a superb 86 off 50 balls.

Chase

MI Emirates started the chase in top gear as openers Andre Fletcher and Muhammad Waseem took the attack to the bowlers, racing to 44 before Waseem fell for a quickfire 26 off 10 balls.

Tom Banton contributed 11 before Aayan Khan struck again, and when James Vince ran out Kusal Perera for just one, MI Emirates found themselves at 61 for three in the eight-over period.

Fletcher, however, kept the scoreboard moving with a steady 31 before Blessing Muzarabani dismissed him. With MI Emirates losing wickets at regular intervals, Pooran and Bevon Jacobs took up the task of rebuilding the innings.

Requiring 71 off the final five overs with six wickets in hand, Pooran and Jacobs launched a calculated counterattack, stitching together a crucial 53-run partnership in just 33 balls. Jacobs fell for 18, courtesy of Chris Jordan, but Pooran remained unfazed.

With Romario Shepherd providing support, Pooran reached his half-century in the 18th over, shifting the pressure onto the Gulf Giants.

Shepherd’s late fireworks of 23 off nine balls set up a tense finish, leaving MI Emirates needing six runs off the final over. Pooran wasted no time, dispatching the first ball over cow corner for a towering six to seal the sensational five-wicket victory.

Conclusion

MI Emirates’ victory was a testament to the team’s resilience and determination. Nicholas Pooran’s unbeaten 58 off 37 balls was the highlight of the match, earning him the Player of the Match award.