ABU DHABI – A composed yet forceful unbeaten half-century from Nicholas Pooran, reinforced by a commanding partnership with Muhammad Waseem, powered MI Emirates to a dominant eight-wicket victory over the faltering Gulf Giants as the International League T20 continued Tuesday at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a modest target of 142, the Emirates appeared briefly unsettled when Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton were both dismissed without scoring, leaving the innings in disarray at two for two. Any notion of a collapse was swiftly erased.
Pooran and Waseem combined with precision and patience, forging an unbroken stand of 140 runs that transformed a stuttering start into a one-sided contest. The pair guided the Emirates to 142 for two in just 16.3 overs.
Pooran sets the tone, Waseem finishes the job
Pooran anchored the chase with authority, striking an unbeaten 69 from 49 deliveries, an innings laced with six boundaries and three towering sixes. At the other end, Waseem played the perfect foil, earning Player-of-the-Match honors for his unbeaten 59 off 42 balls, which included three fours and three sixes.
Together, they dismantled the Giants’ bowling attack with controlled aggression, ensuring the chase never drifted from Emirates’ command.
Shepherd, Farooqui lay the foundation
Earlier, disciplined bowling laid the platform for the comprehensive victory. Romario Shepherd struck twice in the powerplay to derail the Giants’ top order, removing captain James Vince for two and having Asif Khan caught for 12 as the Giants slumped to 27 for three inside four overs.
Fazalhaq Farooqui was equally incisive, finishing with figures of 2 for 17, while Shepherd returned 2 for 36 from his four overs as the Giants were restricted to a below-par 141 for six.
Loan resistance from Ali and Mayers
The Giants found little stability thereafter, with only Moeen Ali and Kyle Mayers offering meaningful resistance. Ali compiled a measured 51 from 48 balls, striking two fours and two sixes, while Mayers provided late impetus with an unbeaten 28 off 18 deliveries, including four boundaries and a six.
Their efforts, however, were never enough to push the total beyond the Emirates’ comfortable reach.
Emirates surge up the table
The emphatic win lifted MI Emirates to second place in the standings on 12 points from nine matches, just two points behind table-topping Desert Vipers. For the Gulf Giants, the struggles continued, as they remained fourth with six points and a 3-6 record.
