122/3 (16.1)
CR : 7.55
120/8 (20.0)
CR : 6.00
MI Emirates won by 7 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Shakib Al Hasan
0/2038(24)
Over 17
MI Emirates 122/3
Tom Banton64(53)
Sanjay Krishnamurthi0(0)
Piyush Chawla0-21(2.1)
MIE won by 7 wickets
11:07 PM IST & 9:37 PM Local Time: It turned out to be a largely one-sided affair. MI Emirates were clinical in all departments as they outplayed Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and sealed a convincing 7-wicket victory. With this dominant performance, MI Emirates book their place in the Final of the ILT20 2025/26. They will now take on the Desert Vipers on Sunday in what promises to be a blockbuster title clash.
Earlier in the day, Kieron Pollard won the toss and opted to chase. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders had a nightmare start as Rohid Khan struck with his very first ball, removing Michael-Kyle Pepper for 1 and setting the tone early. Brandon McMullen and Liam Livingstone followed soon after, leaving ADKR in deep trouble at 33/3 in the 7th over. The 47-run stand for the fourth wicket between Alex Hales and Alishan Sharafu was the only real bright phase in the innings for the Knight Riders. Pollard’s captaincy stood out throughout, as his sharp bowling changes kept the pressure on and ensured wickets fell at regular intervals, never allowing ADKR to break free.
Alishan Sharafu finished as the top scorer for the Knight Riders with a gritty 50* off 40 balls, bringing up his half-century off the very last delivery of the innings. Alex Hales chipped in with a slow but steady 29 off 36, while Brandon McMullen was the only other batter to reach double figures with 13. ADKR were never able to lift the scoring rate and were eventually restricted to a below-par total of 120/8 from their 20 overs. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar was outstanding with the ball for MI Emirates, returning impressive figures of 3/24.
In reply, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders made a decent start with the ball as Andre Fletcher was removed early, Ajay Kumar striking to dismiss him for 5. Muhammad Waseem never quite found his rhythm at the crease and was eventually sent back by Sunil Narine for 10 off 14 balls.
From there on, Tom Banton and Shakib Al Hasan took complete control of the chase, stitching together a match-winning 82-run partnership for the third wicket. Shakib took his time in the middle and then shifted gears against the spinners before falling for 38 off 24 while attempting to finish the game in style. Tom Banton continued his rich vein of form, bringing up back-to-back fifties and staying unbeaten on a composed 64 off 53 balls. MI Emirates sealed the chase comfortably to win by 7 wickets and now march into the summit clash against the Desert Vipers on Sunday. Stay tuned for the Post-Match Presentation!
Earlier in the day, Kieron Pollard won the toss and opted to chase. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders had a nightmare start as Rohid Khan struck with his very first ball, removing Michael-Kyle Pepper for 1 and setting the tone early. Brandon McMullen and Liam Livingstone followed soon after, leaving ADKR in deep trouble at 33/3 in the 7th over. The 47-run stand for the fourth wicket between Alex Hales and Alishan Sharafu was the only real bright phase in the innings for the Knight Riders. Pollard’s captaincy stood out throughout, as his sharp bowling changes kept the pressure on and ensured wickets fell at regular intervals, never allowing ADKR to break free.
Alishan Sharafu finished as the top scorer for the Knight Riders with a gritty 50* off 40 balls, bringing up his half-century off the very last delivery of the innings. Alex Hales chipped in with a slow but steady 29 off 36, while Brandon McMullen was the only other batter to reach double figures with 13. ADKR were never able to lift the scoring rate and were eventually restricted to a below-par total of 120/8 from their 20 overs. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar was outstanding with the ball for MI Emirates, returning impressive figures of 3/24.
In reply, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders made a decent start with the ball as Andre Fletcher was removed early, Ajay Kumar striking to dismiss him for 5. Muhammad Waseem never quite found his rhythm at the crease and was eventually sent back by Sunil Narine for 10 off 14 balls.
From there on, Tom Banton and Shakib Al Hasan took complete control of the chase, stitching together a match-winning 82-run partnership for the third wicket. Shakib took his time in the middle and then shifted gears against the spinners before falling for 38 off 24 while attempting to finish the game in style. Tom Banton continued his rich vein of form, bringing up back-to-back fifties and staying unbeaten on a composed 64 off 53 balls. MI Emirates sealed the chase comfortably to win by 7 wickets and now march into the summit clash against the Desert Vipers on Sunday. Stay tuned for the Post-Match Presentation!
11:15 PM IST & 9:45 PM Local Time: Time for the Post-Match Presentation!
Jason Holder (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Captain): "I thought it was a tough wicket to start on. We never got going in the innings. 120 on this pitch is tough to defend.
Where we were at the midway point in this competition, this is probably a very good effort. Credit to everybody in the dressing room and the support staff as well. We fell short but the effort was tremendous but unfortunately we couldn't carry it deeper.
Our locals did a really good job. Alishan is one of their better players. It was lovely to see Pepps come in and perform well at the backend. Livi and Salt did well."
Where we were at the midway point in this competition, this is probably a very good effort. Credit to everybody in the dressing room and the support staff as well. We fell short but the effort was tremendous but unfortunately we couldn't carry it deeper.
Our locals did a really good job. Alishan is one of their better players. It was lovely to see Pepps come in and perform well at the backend. Livi and Salt did well."
Kieron Pollard (MI Emirates Captain): "It feels good. Firstly I liked the idea that you admitted that you went against us and we won the trophy first time. Glad that you admitted. Yeah, the boys performed really well and it was a collective effort to be honest.
It was still a decent batting track. The dew played a part in the second innings. In games like these, in a small ground, you have to see what's in front of you. The way we started our bowling innings, we would've been okay till 140.
Well, if you look at their batters, most of the batters are comfortable against the seamers, so I had to mix things up a little bit.
It should be a cracking game against the Vipers. I feel the pressure is back on them because they have not won the tournament but we have won it. We know how to win it. So, the guys will be ready as we have worked really hard for the past 6 weeks and it's one more night to go."
It was still a decent batting track. The dew played a part in the second innings. In games like these, in a small ground, you have to see what's in front of you. The way we started our bowling innings, we would've been okay till 140.
Well, if you look at their batters, most of the batters are comfortable against the seamers, so I had to mix things up a little bit.
It should be a cracking game against the Vipers. I feel the pressure is back on them because they have not won the tournament but we have won it. We know how to win it. So, the guys will be ready as we have worked really hard for the past 6 weeks and it's one more night to go."
Player of the Match: Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan (Player of the Match): "It was very important game for both teams. Luckily we won the toss and we kept on taking wickets which was the key factor. Ghazanfar bowled really well. They needed partnerships but didn't get it. In the batting it was about batting overs. We had to handle their spinners and that was my job today and luckily I could do it for my team.
There was a little bit for the bowlers. It wasn't an easier wicket to get away but if you bat sensibly you can score runs on this track but if you lose wickets it gets hard to come back.
In the team meeting everyone knew my job would be to handle the spinners. Tom's job was to bat through. I took the pressure of him and he played a really special innings. He's been doing it for us and we are thankful for him."
There was a little bit for the bowlers. It wasn't an easier wicket to get away but if you bat sensibly you can score runs on this track but if you lose wickets it gets hard to come back.
In the team meeting everyone knew my job would be to handle the spinners. Tom's job was to bat through. I took the pressure of him and he played a really special innings. He's been doing it for us and we are thankful for him."
That was a thoroughly dominant performance from MI Emirates in Qualifier 2 as they proved far too hot to handle for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. They controlled the game from start to finish and stamped their authority in a high-pressure knockout contest. Now, all roads lead back to Dubai for the Grand Finale on Sunday, where the Desert Vipers will lock horns with MI Emirates. With two top sides in red-hot form, it promises to be an absolute cracker of a finish to the tournament.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Ninaad Dixit who, along with scorer/analyst Raju Khariya brought all the actions of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Ninaad Dixit who, along with scorer/analyst Raju Khariya brought all the actions of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋