In a thrilling encounter at Zayed Cricket Stadium, MI Emirates secured a convincing 18-run victory over reigning champions Gulf Giants in the DP World ILT20. Late fireworks from Nicholas Pooran and Tim David turned a lukewarm start into a formidable total of 179 for MI Emirates.
Pooran’s explosive half-century, combined with Tim David’s power-hitting onslaught (41 runs in 15 balls), set the stage for a challenging run chase for the Gulf Giants. James Vince’s valiant half-century and James Overton’s quick 41 off 18 balls gave the Giants hope, but Fazalhaq Farooqi’s exceptional bowling (4 for 25) led MI Emirates to restrict the Giants to 161 for 9.
Player of the Match Tim David expressed his delight, saying, “It’s about finding a method that is going to work for you in that game, take that risk and see what happens.”
The Gulf Giants’ run chase started promisingly with Vince’s aggressive start, but Farooqi’s pivotal wickets in the powerplay derailed their momentum. Despite Vince’s half-century, MI Emirates’ disciplined bowling and strategic dismissals ensured a comfortable victory.
MI Emirates’ winning captain, Nicholas Pooran, praised the team’s response to the challenge. “With wickets in hand, you can always go big in the last 5-6 overs,” he remarked.
Reflecting on the game, Gulf Giants’ skipper James Vince acknowledged the missed opportunities, stating, “We never quite got ahead in the game. We will have a quick debrief ahead of the next game and see where we can improve.”
In the first innings, MI Emirates overcame a shaky start, thanks to a fierce assault by Pooran and Rayudu. Tim David’s late blitzkrieg propelled them to a formidable total, showcasing MI Emirates’ resilience and firepower.
Brief Scores:
MI Emirates bt Gulf Giants by 18 runs. MI Emirates 179 for 5 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 51, Tim David 41, Andre Fletcher 28; Chris Jordan 2 for 48, Mujeeb ur Rehman 1 for 23) Gulf Giants 161 for 9 in 20 overs (James Vince 52, James Overton 41, Usman Khan 22; Fazalhaq Farooqi 4 for 25, Trent Boult 2 for 39)
Player of the Match: Tim David of MI Emirates
The Sportz Planet Desk
