MI Emirates enter play-offs
While Bravo claims 3 wickets, Waseem and Pollard put on the runs
Consistent opener Muhammad Waseem and skipper Kieron Pollard’s breezy knocks backed by Dwayne Bravo ‘s three-wicket haul carried MI Emirates into the play-offs with an impressive 18 runs win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the 26th match of the DP World ILT20 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium last night.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ winless run continued after they let MI Emirates post 180 for 4 in 20 overs through some poor fielding and unimpressive bowling. Dropping Waseem thrice, they let the high-scoring UAE opener flourish and hit 60 runs off 43 balls. Skipper Kieron Pollard’s cameo of 43 off just 17 balls with four boundaries and three sixes swelled the total.
Chasing, Abu Dhabi were bowled out for 162 in 19.2 overs with Dwayne Bravo claiming three for 37, backed by Imran Tahir (2 for 20) and Zahoor Khan (2 for 33). Andre Russell’s fighting knock of 42 off 22 balls with five boundaries and two sixes went in vain.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders restricted MI Emirates to just 29 runs during the powerplay.
At the halfway mark, MI Emirates were 55 for one before Waseem opened up and started his six-hitting feat to complete his half-century off 38 balls.
Tucker, who took 23 balls to score 33, was retired out. Nicholas Pooran replaced him and skipper Pollard joined his fellow West Indian after the exit of Waseem for 60. The duo added 56 in just 25 balls to post an impressive 180 for 4.
Abu Dhabi lost opener Paul Stirling to the second ball of the first over from Trent Boult for a duck. Joe Clarke and Charith Asalanka took the score to 50 by the end of the powerplay and Tahir struck again with, trapping Asalanka.
Another MI Emirates’ champion bowler Bravo struck in his first over, clean bowling Clarke for 22. Abu Dhabi went past the 100-run mark in 10.4 overs with Russell scoring two consecutive boundaries off Bravo. UAE’s Zahoor ended Abu Dhabi’s challenge in the 13th over by taking the valuable wicket off Russell, caught by Waseem at midwicket for 42, that hastened the end.