Sharjah: Tom Bandon’s unbeaten half-century led to a combined bowling effort as MI defeated Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 7 wickets in Qualifier 2 of the ILT20 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.
MI will face Emirates Desert Vipers in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Sunday.
MI Emirates captain Kieran Pollard’s decision to field first paid off as his side’s bowling department reduced the Knight Riders to a modest total of 120/8 in 20 overs despite Alishan Sharapu’s half-century in the middle.
Sharabu scored an unbeaten 50 off 40 balls with 3 sixes and 2 fours for the Knight Riders, followed by veteran opener Alex Hales’ 29 off 36 balls. Both added 47 runs for the fourth wicket.
Apart from them, only top-order batsman Brandon McMullan (13) could break double digits.
AM Ghazanfar was the pick of the bowlers for MI Emirates, claiming 3 wickets for just 24 runs in his four overs, while Muhammad Rohit and Fazalhaq Farooqi picked up two wickets each.
Chasing a target of 121 runs, MI Emirates reached the score with the loss of only 3 wickets and 23 balls.
Their leading wicket keeper Batter Panton scored 63 off 53 balls with 6 fours and a six. Bangladesh player Shakib Al Hasan scored 38 runs off 24 balls to support him.
Ajay Kumar took 2 wickets and Sunil Narine took one wicket for Knight Riders.