Last Update: February 02, 2023, 08:14 IST
MI Emirates lost the match in a thriller.
Despite the loss, MI Emirates are still third on the ILT20 points table, and will look to win their remaining two games for a shot at the play-offs.
ABU DHABI: MI Emirates’ bowlers almost sealed victory in a fine display before Shimron Hetmyer’s last-ball six handed the Gulf Giants a five-wicket win at Sheikh Zayed. Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday.
Despite the loss, MI Emirates are still third on the ILT20 points table, and will look to win their remaining two games for a shot at the play-offs.
Exuding confidence in Mumbai Indians’ prospects, pacer Trent Boult said, “100 per cent. It’s exciting why you want to play tournaments like this and play big games. One more game here and one more game in Dubai, We need to win two games and we are in the play-offs.
Batting on a track that promised good bounce and spin, MI Emirates needed some strength in the middle after Andre Fletcher (4) and Basil Hameed (9) put on just 27 runs on the board.
And with Nicholas Pooran and Muhammad Wasim coming together to battle it out to get MI Emirates a competitive score. The left-right combo provided the right momentum to the MI Emirates innings with a 61-run third-wicket partnership.
Wasim, who got a reprieve on 7 after being dropped at point by Rehan Khan, scored a 25-ball 29, and more importantly ensured that MI Emirates dominated proceedings, hitting a couple of fours and sixes .
Pooran, who scored a crucial 29-ball 42, showed why he is such a valuable asset in the MI Emirates line-up, collecting Rehan for three sixes, including three fours, before eventually falling to a single bowler .
Captain Kieron Pollard hit a 7-ball 19 thanks to consecutive sixes from Rehan, who once again left MI Emirates at 120/5 by the 15th over with the wicket of the huge Trinidadian.
With a final flourish from Imran Tahir, (10 in 5 balls) helped MI post 139 at the Emirates.
In reply, Jordan Thompson and Bravo picked up the wickets of Giants openers James Vince (25) and Tom Banton (45), and later the rest of MI Emirates’ bowling stuck to a disciplined line to stem the flow of runs. And the ploy paid off as Fazalhaq Farooqui and Bravo piled up the pressure on the Giants with the wickets of set batsmen – Gerhard Erasmus (20) and Chris Lynn (28).
“The spirit the bowling unit showed was remarkable. T20 cricket is about being aggressive, taking it till the last over. I feel for Jordan Thompson, he bowled very well. This is a good opportunity for them to learn.
In the last over, the seasoned and experienced Bravo displayed his athleticism to perfection by running out David Wiese (5) on his follow-through, taking 11 runs off 6 balls.
MI Emirates bowlers kept the pressure on till the very last ball until Hetmyer (13) hit a last ball six to help the team seal the win and qualify for the play-offs.
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