ABU DHABI: Fazlhaq Farooqui’s frugal bowling, half-centuries from Muhammad Wasim and Nicholas Pooran helped MI Emirates win by eight wickets against Gulf Giants in the 26th match of the 2025 ILD20.
The win lifted the Emirates to sixth place from nine matches and pushed them into the playoffs, level with top-placed Desert Vipers on 14 points after as many games.
Batting first, the Giants managed to amass 141/6 in their allotted 20 overs, despite a scintillating cameo from Kyle Meyers at the back.
The Giants had a shaky start to their innings, losing three wickets for 27 runs during the batting powerplay.
Following an early stumble, veteran all-rounder Moeen Ali came out to bat and oversaw their batting journey with a cautious half-century until he fell to Zahoor Khan on the last delivery of the innings.
He top-scored with 51 off 48 balls with two sixes and several fours, and put on important partnerships, including a 52-run sixth-wicket stand with Meyers, who hit 28 off 18 balls with 4 fours and a six.
For the Emirates side, Romario Sheppard and Fazalhaq Farooqi took 2 wickets each, while Zahoor and Arab Gul took one wicket each.
Chasing a modest target of 142 runs, Emirates eventually cruised to victory with two wickets and 21 balls to spare thanks to an unbeaten 140-run partnership from Wasim and Pooran.
The Emirates had a different start to the country as they both managed Jonny Bairstow and Tom Panton for just 2 runs in two overs with ducks.
Following the collapse, Pooran joined Wasim in the middle and both turned the game around with half-centuries, eventually leading MI Emirates to a highly rewarding victory.
Pooran scored an unbeaten 69 off 49 balls with 6 fours and 3 sixes, while Wasim scored an unbeaten 59 off 42 balls with 3 sixes and several fours, earning him the man of the match award.
For the Giants, Mark Adyar and Asmatullah Omarzai took one wicket each.
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