ABU DHABI: AM Ghazanfar-led bowling led MI Emirates to a resounding 8-wicket victory over Dubai Capitals in the 29th match of the ILD20 at the Saeed Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
The win secured MI Emirates’ seventh spot and helped them clinch the top two spots, meaning they will take on the Desert Vipers in Qualifier 1 at the same venue on December 30.
MI Emirates captain Kieran Pollard’s decision to field first paid off as his side’s spin bowling attack reeled the Capitals to a modest total of 122/8 in 20 overs.
Captain Mohammad Nabi was the top scorer for the Capitals with an unbeaten 22 off 30 balls, followed by fellow all-rounder James Neesham with 21 off 14 balls.
Apart from them, only Shayan Jahangir (17), Scott Currie (15) and Jordan Cox (13) managed to score double figures against the Ghazanfar-led MI Emirates bowling attack.
Ghazanfar was the best bowler for MI Emirates, claiming 3 wickets for just 28 runs in his four overs, while Fazalhaq Farooqi, Shakib Al Hasan, Dan Mousli and Arab Khan chipped in with a scalp each.
For his economical bowling, Ghazanfar was adjudged Man of the Match.
Chasing a target of 123 runs, MI Emirates managed to easily reach the winning run with the loss of just two wickets and 20 balls thanks to captain Pollard’s brilliant performance.
The experienced all-rounder smashed five sixes and a four towards his side’s top score of 44 off 31 balls, while openers Muhammad Wasim and Andre Fletcher contributed brilliantly with 27 and 21 respectively.
Fletcher was run out in the seventh over, dismissing Wasim.