MI Emirates (MIE) faced Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) in match no. 26 of the ongoing International League T20 (ILT20) at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Friday (February 3). MIE defeated ADKR by 18 runs in the contest to seal their spot in the quarterfinals.
Asked to bat first, MIE started their innings well and put up a competitive total of 180/4 on the board in 20 overs. Muhammad Waseem (60) and Kieron Pollard (43) were the highest contributors to the team’s total. Meanwhile, Marchant De Lange and Sunil Narine picked one wicket each for ADKR.
In reply, the Narine-led ADKR got off to a rough start and lost their opener Paul Stirling with no run on the scoreboard. However, Andre Russell batted efficiently for the team and scored quick 42 runs off 22 deliveries, but the efforts of Russell went in vain as his side was bundled out in 19.2 overs and lost the match.
On the other hand, every bowler to have bowled for MIE scalped a wicket or two, while Dwayne Bravo emerged as the highest wicket-taker for the winning team with three wickets to his name. Pollard was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ for his fiery knock in the game.
With the victory, MIE qualified for the playoffs. Bravo and fellow teammate Imran Tahir danced to celebrate the team’s success.
Here’s the video:
Woh playoffs waali #Bawaal feeling 🥰#MIEvADKR #CricketOnZee #DPWorldILT20 pic.twitter.com/84l7oHYMmT
— Zee Cricket (@ilt20onzee) February 3, 2023
Notably, MIE currently sits at the third position of the points table, with Gulf Giants at the second spot and Desert Vipers at the top. Now, the battle for fourth place is between Sharjah Warriors (SW) and Dubai Capitals (DC).
If Rovman Powell-led DC wants to qualify for the knockouts, they need to win their next and final battle against MI Emirates, while Joe Denly’s SW will need to win both their left matches to seal the fourth spot.
