Pooran, Fletcher lead MI Emirates to title
“Winning this trophy, the Mumbai Indians franchise have the most trophies in this format, so it is a huge accomplishment, and I am really happy to be a part of the franchise and winning.”
MUMBAI INDIANS Emirates were crowned champions of the ILT20 after the West Indies pair of Nicholas Pooran and Andre Fletcher hit half-centuries to set them up for a 45-run win against Dubai Capitals on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates.
Pooran, the MI Emirates captain, slammed two fours and six sixes in the top score of 57 from 27 balls to earn the Player-of-the-Match award, and powered his side to 208 for three after they were put into bat in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
He shared 56 for third wicket with Fletcher, whose 53 off 37 balls included three fours and four sixes, and he dominated an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of exactly 50 with retired West Indies white-ball captain Kieron Pollard that pushed MI Emirates to the highest total in the tournament this year.
Chasing on a slow pitch was going to be difficult for the Capitals, and they laboured to 47 for two at the end of the Power Play, briefly threatened when their captain Sam Billings smashed the top score of 40 from 29 balls, but failed to take advantage of MI Emirates spilling no less than six catches.
There were no significant partnerships for t he Capitals, especially as New Zealand left-arm pacer Trent Boult and Sri Lankan leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth snared two wickets apiece to help restrict them to 163 for seven.
“I couldn’t ask for anything else from this team,” Pooran said during a post-play TV interview.
“This is exactly what we wanted. We planned how we wanted to go about this game, and it’s nice to see the guys go out there and execute.
“Winning this trophy, the Mumbai Indians franchise have the most trophies in this format, so it is a huge accomplishment, and I am really happy to be a part of the franchise and winning.”
He added: “Everyone had the same agenda. Everyone had the same goal. Every time we came on to the park. Every time we went to practise. Everyone was just trying to get better. When we hit the field, it was just automatic. I just felt everyone wanted to contribute and win this here.
“It was good to have (fellow Trinidadians) [Dwayne] Bravo and [Kieron] Pollard here. They have won a lot of T20 tournaments and to have that experience and that guide in big moments like this, you need people who have been here and understand how to win.”