126/2 (16.4)
CR : 7.56
122/8 (20.0)
CR : 6.10
MI Emirates won by 8 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
A Ghazanfar
3/28
Over 17
MI Emirates 126/2
Tom Banton28(20)
Kieron Pollard44(31)
Muhammad Jawadullah0-4(0.4)
MIE won by 8 wickets
11:07 PM IST, 9:37 PM Local Time: Kieron Pollard power MI EMIRATES to an 8 wicket win with 20 balls to spare on the back of an unbeaten 44 off 31 balls in a trial by spin.
In a tactical masterclass at the ILT20, Kieron Pollard’s MI Emirates dismantled the Dubai Capitals by 8 wickets, securing a vital second-place spot on the points table. The game was won and lost in the dirt, as Pollard’s keen eye for the conditions turned the match into a grueling "spin-choke" for the Capitals. After winning the toss and opting to bowl, the MI Emirates captain quickly realized that the surface was a spinner’s paradise. While the match began with pace, Pollard pivoted to his slow bowlers as early as the fourth over, a strategy that remained in place until the 16th.
The Dubai Capitals batters found themselves completely suffocated by the turn and grip. Wickets fell at regular intervals as the lineup struggled to find any rhythm. Jimmy Neesham provided the only real spark of aggression, striking at 150 to contribute a quick-fire 21 off 14 balls, but he was a lone warrior. Even skipper Mohammad Nabi found it difficult to pierce the gaps, laboring to an unbeaten 22 off 30 balls. The Emirates' spin trio reigned supreme: Shakib Al Hasan was incredibly parsimonious, conceding just 11 runs in his four overs, while Arab Gul Momand chipped in with a wicket for 27. However, it was Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar who stole the show, tearing through the middle order to finish with figures of 3/28, leaving the Capitals with a meager total of 122/8.
The chase began with a clear statement of intent from Muhammad Waseem. He immediately targeted David Willey in the opening over, racing to 27 off 19 balls and ensuring the required run rate never became a factor. However, the Dubai Capitals attempted to fight back using the same blueprint that had worked for Emirates. Haider Ali bowled a superb, restrictive spell, finishing with 1/14 across his four overs. This period of play brought the game to a temporary stalemate, with the ball still gripping and scoring becoming difficult for the new batters.
Just as the pressure began to bubble, Kieron Pollard decided to take matters into his own hands. In a signature display of brute force, the MI Emirates skipper targeted Dubai’s premier bowler, Waqar Salamkheil, and plundered 30 runs in a single over. That explosion of power effectively ended the contest. Pollard remained unbeaten on 44 off 31 balls, featuring five massive sixes, while Tom Banton played the perfect supporting role with a steady 28* off 20. MI Emirates crossed the finish line with 20 balls to spare, making a loud statement as they move into the top two of the standings. The first Qualifier has been locked and will be played between the table toppers, Desert Vipers and MI Emirates. Dubai Capitals on the other hand, are out of the contention for the top two spots and will be playing the Eliminator.
In a tactical masterclass at the ILT20, Kieron Pollard’s MI Emirates dismantled the Dubai Capitals by 8 wickets, securing a vital second-place spot on the points table. The game was won and lost in the dirt, as Pollard’s keen eye for the conditions turned the match into a grueling "spin-choke" for the Capitals. After winning the toss and opting to bowl, the MI Emirates captain quickly realized that the surface was a spinner’s paradise. While the match began with pace, Pollard pivoted to his slow bowlers as early as the fourth over, a strategy that remained in place until the 16th.
The Dubai Capitals batters found themselves completely suffocated by the turn and grip. Wickets fell at regular intervals as the lineup struggled to find any rhythm. Jimmy Neesham provided the only real spark of aggression, striking at 150 to contribute a quick-fire 21 off 14 balls, but he was a lone warrior. Even skipper Mohammad Nabi found it difficult to pierce the gaps, laboring to an unbeaten 22 off 30 balls. The Emirates' spin trio reigned supreme: Shakib Al Hasan was incredibly parsimonious, conceding just 11 runs in his four overs, while Arab Gul Momand chipped in with a wicket for 27. However, it was Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar who stole the show, tearing through the middle order to finish with figures of 3/28, leaving the Capitals with a meager total of 122/8.
The chase began with a clear statement of intent from Muhammad Waseem. He immediately targeted David Willey in the opening over, racing to 27 off 19 balls and ensuring the required run rate never became a factor. However, the Dubai Capitals attempted to fight back using the same blueprint that had worked for Emirates. Haider Ali bowled a superb, restrictive spell, finishing with 1/14 across his four overs. This period of play brought the game to a temporary stalemate, with the ball still gripping and scoring becoming difficult for the new batters.
Just as the pressure began to bubble, Kieron Pollard decided to take matters into his own hands. In a signature display of brute force, the MI Emirates skipper targeted Dubai’s premier bowler, Waqar Salamkheil, and plundered 30 runs in a single over. That explosion of power effectively ended the contest. Pollard remained unbeaten on 44 off 31 balls, featuring five massive sixes, while Tom Banton played the perfect supporting role with a steady 28* off 20. MI Emirates crossed the finish line with 20 balls to spare, making a loud statement as they move into the top two of the standings. The first Qualifier has been locked and will be played between the table toppers, Desert Vipers and MI Emirates. Dubai Capitals on the other hand, are out of the contention for the top two spots and will be playing the Eliminator.
Time for post-match presentations...
Dispatch of the Day: Muhammad Waseem
Mohammad Nabi (Dubai Capitals Captain): "Not enough score by us on this kind of pitch. But Emirates bowled really well. Difficult to defend 122 on this kind of wicket. We bowled well but then Pollard took it away from us.
(On the playoffs) Dubai conditions suit us well and we hope to do well in the next game."
(On the playoffs) Dubai conditions suit us well and we hope to do well in the next game."
Kieron Pollard (MI Emirates Captain): "Very happy. Again chasing 120, you take it any day. The bowlers stuck to the plans, using the conditions that were presented in front of us and yeah we got the job done. The guys have come in and done their part. Naveen came-in in previous games and did his job. Shakib before this didn't get the game time but got the job done. The boys know that we will be playing horses for courses. For us it's just about understanding what's needed on the day. When the pressure is on and spinners are bowling, you have to go after the spin. You cannot win a game in one over. The openers gave us a good start that gave us time in the middle and set us up for the chase."
Player of the Match: Allah Ghazanfar
AM Ghazanfar (POTM): "Spoke to the coaching group on the way to the ground that I might win the POTM award tonight. And see. I won it. The plan was to keep things simple.
(On carrom ball and other variations) It's difficult for a finger spinner here and bowl his variations. But tonight they came very well.
(On that one-handed stunning caught and bowled) Very pleased to take that catch. I knew that one side of the boundary is short and had to force the batter not to play there. I just bowled my best delivery and took the caught and bowled."
(On carrom ball and other variations) It's difficult for a finger spinner here and bowl his variations. But tonight they came very well.
(On that one-handed stunning caught and bowled) Very pleased to take that catch. I knew that one side of the boundary is short and had to force the batter not to play there. I just bowled my best delivery and took the caught and bowled."
This is it from our side. MI Emirates have defeated Dubai Capitals by 8 wickets and 20 balls to spare clinching a top two spot in the points table. The first Qualifier has been locked and will be played between the table toppers, Desert Vipers and MI Emirates. Dubai Capitals on the other hand, are out of the contention for the top two spots and will be playing the Eliminator. This is Utsav Chandak, signing off on behalf of Mohammad Anab & Raju Khariya. Stay tuned for all the cricket updates on the Crickxo App.