ABU DHABI: Muhammad Waseem and captain Kieron Pollard played breezy knocks and Dwayne Bravo took three wickets as MI Emirates beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 18 runs to reach the playoffs of the DP World ILT20 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium Friday night.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ winless run continued after they let MI Emirates post 180-4 in 20 overs through some poor fielding and unimpressive bowling.
Dropping Waseem thrice, they let the high-scoring UAE opener flourish and hit 60 runs off 43 balls with six sixes and one boundary. Skipper Kieron Pollard’s cameo of 43 off just 17 balls with four boundaries and three sixes swelled the total.
Chasing the target, Abu Dhabi were bowled out for 162 in 19.2 overs with Dwayne Bravo producing a fine spell of 3-37, backed by Imran Tahir (2-20) and Zahoor Khan (2-33).
Andre Russell’s fighting knock of 42 off 22 balls with five boundaries and two sixes went in vain.
Speaking about their performance, MI Emirates’ head coach Shane Bond said, “We had a slow start, but we have shown an ability to pile on runs at the back end. Kieron has been playing brilliantly. I thought 180 was a good score, but we have to work on a few things in the bowling department.”
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders batting coach Ryan ten Doeschate said, “They scored 55 runs off their first ten overs and then notched 125 runs in their last ten overs. It could’ve been different if we took our chances. You shouldn’t give good players chances. It’s something we are working on, but it obviously needs to be addressed further.”
MI Emirates organised the ‘MI Emirates Fan Carnival’ at their final home game with Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on Friday. The carnival was hosted in a well-supported zone which witnessed a bustling atmosphere as a host of kids and their families played games and enjoyed watching a magician, face painters, clown jugglers and a musical band in full flow.
Brief scores: MI Emirates beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 18 runs.
MI Emirates 180-4 in 20 overs (Andre Fletcher 22, Muhammad Waseem 60, Lorcan Tucker 33, Kieron Pollard 43). Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 162 in 19.2 overs (Joe Clarke 22, Andre Russell 42, Imran Tahir 2-20, Zahoor Khan 2-33, Dwayne Bravo 3-37).
Player of Match ($1,500): Kieron Pollard
DP World Smart delivery of the day ($1,500): Dwayne Bravo to Joe Clarke
Fairplay News biggest hit of the match ($1,500): Andre Russell’s six of 95 metres.
Skytech.Net Super 4s of the match ($1,500): Andre Russell (5 boundaries)
Sportsbuzz Buzzmaker of the match ($1,500): Muhammad Waseem for scoring 95 fantasy points.
Green Belt Holder: Alex Hales
White Belt Holder: Chris Jordan
