ILT20: MI Emirates outplay Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. MI Emirates got back to winning ways with a seven-wicket win against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday. The victory lifted the side to third in the points table with four points following their second win from four one games at DP World ILT20 Season 4.
It was an all-round performance by the MI Emirates, who banked on Fazalhaq Farooqi’s 4 for 14 and Kamindu Mendis’ three wickets in the first essay to bowl them out for 122.
In pursuit of a low total, the combination of Muhammad Waseem’s belligerent 27 off 12 balls and later Jonny Bairstow’s unbeaten 49 from 38 balls that entailed seven sixes sealed it for MI Emirates.
“We needed those points. We didn’t expect they would be scoring 122, but as low as possible was the target,” MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard said afterward.
“I thought the men did a pretty good job rebounding. We bowled well last game as well but we did not bat well. “The whole team were professional today. None of it really matters if you don’t play good cricket on the day. For us that’s reminding the guys what’s important and that’s playing consistent cricket and play good cricket.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain Jason Holder was meanwhile disappointed with their batting.
“And we’re still in a fog. 122 was never going to be enough, especially when the dew set in and batting became a lot easier,” Holder said.
“A lot of our batters got starts and just that no one kept going, and we never had a partnership. Execution’s been the biggest problem for us — we just haven’t been consistent. We got off to a very good start in the tournament with a lot of runs, but after that we have not been able to adapt,” he added.
Three wickets gave Mendis man-of-the-match award.
“The wicket was a little bit slow, hence I was just looking to put it in the right areas and vary my pace as well,” Mendis said.
Prodded that ‘Be ready’ was what Pollard said, I told him, “It doesn’t matter. I felt the wicket would help if I bowl in good areas.
Brief scores:
MI Emirates beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by seven wickets
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 122 in 19.3 overs (Alishan Sharafu 38, Sunil Narine 26, Fazalhaq Farooqi 4 for 14, Kamindu Mendis 3 for 21)
MI Emirates 123/3 in 13.5 overs (Jonny Bairstow 49*, Tom Banton 29, Muhammad Waseem 27, Jason Holder 1 for 11, Ajay Kumar 1 for 30)
Player of the match: Kamindu Mendis