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[PICTURES/VIDEOS] The ILT20 - 2024 Season

MI Emirates: 188/5 (20 overs)

Desert Vipers: 158/8 (20 overs)

MI Emirates won by 30 runs and made it into the playoffs.
 
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Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have now moved to the second position after a massive win at their home ground last night!

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MI Emirates storm into play-offs with 30-run triumph over Desert Vipers

MI Emirates continued to reign supreme in the DP World ILT20 Season 2, registering a resounding 30-run victory against the Desert Vipers at the Zayed Cricket Stadium to become the first team to secure the berth in the play-offs. Completing their sixth victory in eight matches, the MI Emirates asserted themselves with a first innings score of 188/5 buoyed by an elegant knock of 65 runs from Kusal Perera and a late innings assault from Nicholas Pooran (39). Ambati Rayudu also produced impeccable value for this team with a hard-fought stint that earned 44 runs.


The Desert Vipers run-chase never found momentum, encumbered by the clinical bowling of the MI Emirates, they lost wickets at frequent intervals, including five in the powerplay. Fazalhaq Farooqi was the pick of the Emirates’ bowling attack with impressive figures of 4/31. His four overs scripted the dismissals of Colin Munro, Adam Hose, Azam Khan and Luke Wood to limit the Desert Vipers to 158/8 in 20 overs

Invited to bat first, MI Emirates began with a lucrative powerplay despite the loss of two wickets. Kusal Perera made his intent crystal clear, scoring 31 off just 18 deliveries in the first six overs. While Muhammad Waseem and Andre Fletcher both departed with minimal impact, scalped by Mohd Amir and Nathan Sowter respectively, to leave the MI Emirates at 61/2 by the end of the powerplay.

As Ambati Rayudu joined Kusal Perera, the duo constructed a formidable stand of 75 runs. Serving as the aggressor in the partnership Perera brought up his half century in just 31 deliveries. In the 16th over, Perera was caught at deep mid-wicket off Wanindu Hasaranga's delivery. The same over saw Nicholas Pooran stamp his authority from the very first ball, striking Hasaranga for two consecutive sixes to begin his innings.

Meanwhile Rayudu endeavored to break the shackles, but the big hits eluded him. He departed for 44 runs at the hands of Mohd. Amir in the 18th over.

Luke Wood, tasked with bowling the 19th over was bested by Nicholas Pooran, who hammered two sixes and two fours to complete a 22-run over. Pooran’s exploits were finally halted when a lethal yorker from Matheesha Pathirana broke his middle stump in the final over the innings that only conceded 3 runs. The MI Emirates, however, managed a strong finish to conclude the innings at 188/5 in 20 overs.

In response the Desert Vipers had a tempestuous start, losing four wickets in the powerplay. Rohan Mustafa fell to spinner Akeal Hosein, as early as the first over while Alex Hales was dismissed by Trent Boult in the fourth over. The Desert Vipers conundrum compounded when Fazalhaq Farooqi was brought into action to dismiss Adam Hose and Colin Munro.

The in-form Azam Khan looked dangerous as he blitzed his way to 19 runs in just 10 deliveries, including three fours and a six, but he also fell to Fazalhaq Farooqi in the sixth over, to leave the Desert Vipers languishing at 38/5 by the end of the powerplay.

The Desert Vipers continued to spiral out of control as Wanindu Hasaranga was the next man to depart, falling to Waqar Salamkheil for just 9 runs in the seventh over. UAE’s Ali Naseer and Sherfane Rutherford worked to salvage a respectable outcome as the pair combined to put on 38 runs before Rutherford was dismissed by Odean Smith in the 12th over with the score at 82/7.

As Luke Wood joined Ali Naseer, the Desert Vipers needed a steep 107 runs in 48 deliveries. While the Viper ultimately fell short of the target by 30 runs, Ali Naseer put on an exceptional display reaching his half century in 42 balls and Luke Wood chipped in with 30 runs before, he was Farooqi’s fourth scalp of the night in the 20th over. The Desert Vipers finished at 158/8.

Following the match, the MI Emirates’ top scorer of the day, Kusal Perera said, “I think we got a very good score on the board. We are always looking to make the most of the powerplay. I think Rayudu and I did well to set up the foundation and bat till the 15th over, but we did very well in the death over to put up a big score, thanks to Nicholas Pooran.”

Speaking on the crowd support he further added, “It’s always great to see so much support for our team and it motivates the players as well. Hope to see the same things for the remaining games.”

Brief Scores:
MI Emirates bt Desert Vipers by 30 runs. MI Emirates 188 for 5 in 20 overs (Kusal Perera 65, Ambati Rayudu 44, Nicholas Pooran 39, Mohd Amir 2 for 29); Desert Vipers 158 for 8 in 20 overs (Ali Naseer 63 n.o, Luke Wood 30, Azam Khan 19, Fazalhaq Farooqi 4 for 31)

Player of the Match: Nicholas Pooran
 
Dubai, 04 February 2024: Shimron Hetmyer, wearing his favourite jersey number 189 and sporting his white coloured hair, flayed the Sharjah Warriors bowling attack to score an unbeaten 53 runs and helped Gulf Giants post an impressive total of 187 for 6 in 20 overs and win the 22nd match of the DP World ILT20 season 2 by 79 runs at the Dubai International Stadium.

Hetmyer’s knock off 28 balls studded with three boundaries and four sixes entertained the Sunday crowd that filled almost every seat at the Dubai International Stadium. He recorded a partnership of 35 runs with Gerhard Erasmus (17) for the fifth wicket and 59 runs for the sixth wicket with Jamie Overton (25). Hetmyer’s show began after Chris Lynn hit 45 runs off 32 balls with six boundaries and a six and had put on 66 runs for the second wicket in 47 balls. Warriors’ left-arm spinner Sean Williams picked three wickets for 46.

The Warriors’ chase began on a disastrous note. UAE’s 18-year-old left-arm spinner Aayan Afzal Khan, bowling the first over, struck by getting opener Niroshan Dickwella caught behind with the first ball, and one-drop Joe Denly with the second delivery, caught by Jordan at mid-off. Their batters continued to fall at regular intervals with Johnson Charles too being caught behind off Overton for 2.

After skipper Tom-Kohler Cadmore, who hit a brave 39, was caught by Cox off Drakes, and Sean Williams too was out caught by Afzal Khan at short third man off Zuhaib Zubair for 3, half the side was back in the dug-out for 44. After this, Giants’ victory was a mere formality. Lewis Gregory hit 30 runs but UAE’s 20-year-old leg spinner Zuhaib Zubair sped up Giants’ victory bagging four wickets for 22 runs.

The Warriors had won the toss and elected to bowl. Giants' were meeting Warriors' after beating them in the opening match of the tournament by 31 runs. For Warriors, it was their match right after having crashed to an eight-wicket defeat to MI Emirates.

Giants’ opener Jamie Smith fell to the fourth ball of the second over, clean bowled by Muhammad Jawadullah while attempting a slog shot for 7. In the tenth over, Sean Williams ended Lynn’s knock when he was five short of his half century, caught by Joe Denly at mid-wicket. In the same over, Williams also removed Vince, caught by Woakes at long-off, for a run-a-ball 20.

From 87 for 4 in 11.5 overs, Hetmyer took charge to lift Giants to a winning total. Hetmyer, who had hit an unbeaten 40 in the previous match against Vipers, went for his shots cheered by the crowd. Gerhard Erasmus played the second fiddle role brilliantly before Daniel Sams got him to edge a reverse sweep to be caught by a diving wicket keeper Dickwella for 17.

Hetmyer, while on 24, escaped being caught by a diving Denly at long-off off Sams when the third umpire ruled him not out despite Denly’s fingers seemed to be under the ball. He celebrated his escape thrashing Williams, who bowled the 17th over, for three sixes and a boundary and took 26 runs off that over. He raced to his 50 in 24 balls, and along with Jamie Overton, they swelled their team’s total.

James Vince, skipper of Giants, who is delighted over his team’s return to the top four in the table, said: “We knew that if we won today we will be back in the top four. The manner in which Hetty (Hetmyer) and Jamie played highlighted what we spoke about and the intent we wanted to play to win matches.”

Kohler-Cadmore, skipper of Warriors, was sporting in defeat. “We didn’t get enough runs with the bat, so obviously disappointed. We’ve got another game tomorrow and need to get back to our best. Sometimes you gotta dust your hat off and say well done.”

Player of the Match Zuhaib Zubair said: “I am glad I got the opportunity to play in this tournament and am happy with the win. I want to thank my bowling coach (Ottis Gibson) for giving me the confidence to do my best.”

Brief scores:

Gulf Giants bt Sharjah Warriors by 79 runs. Gulf Giants 187 for 6 in 20 overs (James Vince 20, Chris Lynn 45, Shimron Hetmyer 53n.o, Jamie Overton 25, Sean Williams 3 for 46) Sharjah Warriors 108 in 17.3 overs (Tom Kohler-Cadmore 39, Lewis Gregory 30, Aayan Afzal Khan 2 for 16, Zuhaib Zubair 4 for 22)

Player of the Match: Zuhaib Zubair
 
Sharjah Warriors vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have won the toss and Andre Russel wants to bowl first Sunil Narine has a split webbing, so he won't be part of the playing eleven tonight. Ravi Bopara and Aditiya is part of the team.

Sharjah Warriors XI: Muhammad Jawadullah, Junaid Siddique, Adil Rashid, Daniel Sams, Johnson Charles, Maheesh Theekshana, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Liam Livingstone, Sean Williams, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Joe Denly

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders XI: Aditya Shetty, Alishan Sharafu, Ali Khan, Andre Russell (c), David Willey, Imad Wasim, Josh Little, Laurie Evans, Marchant de Lange, Michael Pepper (wk), Ravi Bopara, Sam Hain
 
FearlessRoar said:
Sharjah Warriors vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have won the toss and Andre Russel wants to bowl first Sunil Narine has a split webbing, so he won't be part of the playing eleven tonight. Ravi Bopara and Aditiya is part of the team.

Sharjah Warriors XI: Muhammad Jawadullah, Junaid Siddique, Adil Rashid, Daniel Sams, Johnson Charles, Maheesh Theekshana, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Liam Livingstone, Sean Williams, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Joe Denly

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders XI: Aditya Shetty, Alishan Sharafu, Ali Khan, Andre Russell (c), David Willey, Imad Wasim, Josh Little, Laurie Evans, Marchant de Lange, Michael Pepper (wk), Ravi Bopara, Sam Hain
Click to expand...

Innings Break

Sharjah Warriors 75 all out (17 overs)

Ravi Bopara's remarkable display, claiming 4/15 in 4 overs, and Imad Wasim's economical spell of 1/16 in 4 overs played a pivotal role as Abu Dhabi Knight Riders successfully restricted Sharjah Warriors to 75 runs.
 
Sharjah Warriors 75

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (10.1/20 ov, T:76) 79/3

KnightRiders won by 7 wickets!
 
Hetmyer’s explosive unbeaten 53 and Zubair’s four wicket spell leads Gulf Giants to a gigantic win over Sharjah Warriors

Dubai, 04 February 2024: Shimron Hetmyer, wearing his favourite jersey number 189 and sporting his white coloured hair, flayed the Sharjah Warriors bowling attack to score an unbeaten 53 runs and helped Gulf Giants post an impressive total of 187 for 6 in 20 overs and win the 22nd match of the DP World ILT20 season 2 by 79 runs at the Dubai International Stadium.

Hetmyer’s knock off 28 balls studded with three boundaries and four sixes entertained the Sunday crowd that filled almost every seat at the Dubai International Stadium. He recorded a partnership of 35 runs with Gerhard Erasmus (17) for the fifth wicket and 59 runs for the sixth wicket with Jamie Overton (25). Hetmyer’s show began after Chris Lynn hit 45 runs off 32 balls with six boundaries and a six and had put on 66 runs for the second wicket in 47 balls. Warriors’ left-arm spinner Sean Williams picked three wickets for 46.

The Warriors’ chase began on a disastrous note. UAE’s 18-year-old left-arm spinner Aayan Afzal Khan, bowling the first over, struck by getting opener Niroshan Dickwella caught behind with the first ball, and one-drop Joe Denly with the second delivery, caught by Jordan at mid-off. Their batters continued to fall at regular intervals with Johnson Charles too being caught behind off Overton for 2.

After skipper Tom-Kohler Cadmore, who hit a brave 39, was caught by Cox off Drakes, and Sean Williams too was out caught by Afzal Khan at short third man off Zuhaib Zubair for 3, half the side was back in the dug-out for 44. After this, Giants’ victory was a mere formality. Lewis Gregory hit 30 runs but UAE’s 20-year-old leg spinner Zuhaib Zubair sped up Giants’ victory bagging four wickets for 22 runs.

The Warriors had won the toss and elected to bowl. Giants' were meeting Warriors' after beating them in the opening match of the tournament by 31 runs. For Warriors, it was their match right after having crashed to an eight-wicket defeat to MI Emirates.

Giants’ opener Jamie Smith fell to the fourth ball of the second over, clean bowled by Muhammad Jawadullah while attempting a slog shot for 7. In the tenth over, Sean Williams ended Lynn’s knock when he was five short of his half century, caught by Joe Denly at mid-wicket. In the same over, Williams also removed Vince, caught by Woakes at long-off, for a run-a-ball 20.

From 87 for 4 in 11.5 overs, Hetmyer took charge to lift Giants to a winning total. Hetmyer, who had hit an unbeaten 40 in the previous match against Vipers, went for his shots cheered by the crowd. Gerhard Erasmus played the second fiddle role brilliantly before Daniel Sams got him to edge a reverse sweep to be caught by a diving wicket keeper Dickwella for 17.

Hetmyer, while on 24, escaped being caught by a diving Denly at long-off off Sams when the third umpire ruled him not out despite Denly’s fingers seemed to be under the ball. He celebrated his escape thrashing Williams, who bowled the 17th over, for three sixes and a boundary and took 26 runs off that over. He raced to his 50 in 24 balls, and along with Jamie Overton, they swelled their team’s total.

James Vince, skipper of Giants, who is delighted over his team’s return to the top four in the table, said: “We knew that if we won today we will be back in the top four. The manner in which Hetty (Hetmyer) and Jamie played highlighted what we spoke about and the intent we wanted to play to win matches.”

Kohler-Cadmore, skipper of Warriors, was sporting in defeat. “We didn’t get enough runs with the bat, so obviously disappointed. We’ve got another game tomorrow and need to get back to our best. Sometimes you gotta dust your hat off and say well done.”

Player of the Match Zuhaib Zubair said: “I am glad I got the opportunity to play in this tournament and am happy with the win. I want to thank my bowling coach (Ottis Gibson) for giving me the confidence to do my best.”

Brief scores:

Gulf Giants bt Sharjah Warriors by 79 runs. Gulf Giants 187 for 6 in 20 overs (James Vince 20, Chris Lynn 45, Shimron Hetmyer 53n.o, Jamie Overton 25, Sean Williams 3 for 46) Sharjah Warriors 108 in 17.3 overs (Tom Kohler-Cadmore 39, Lewis Gregory 30, Aayan Afzal Khan 2 for 16, Zuhaib Zubair 4 for 22)

Player of the Match: Zuhaib Zubair
 
Sharjah, 05 February 2024: Ravi Bopara (4 for 15), Joshua Little (3 for 17) and David Willey (2 for 16) orchestrated Sharjah Warriors’ catastrophic batting collapse and helped Abu Dhabi Knight Riders march to an emphatic seven-wicket win in the 23rd match of the DP World ILT20 season 2 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. It was another lackluster display of resilience from the Warriors batters as they were bowled out for 75 in 17 overs. Their score was one run more than their total of 74 all out against MI Emirates on the same ground in the ninth match of this edition. Warriors thus recorded the second lowest total of the tournament too.

Chasing the target, Knight Riders raced to victory in 10.1 overs after their openers Joe Clarke and Michael Pepper put on a 54-run opening partnership in 5.2 overs. UAE’s left-arm pacer Muhammad Jawadullah struck twice to remove Pepper caught by Joe Denly at cover and Alishan Sharafu was also caught by Denly at cover-point for a duck. Jawadullah also went on to dismiss Clarke caught behind for 34 but Sam Hain (9n.o) and Laurie Evans (3 n.o) steered Knight Riders to the target without any further mishaps with 59 balls to spare. Jawadullah returned with figures of 3 wickets for 5 runs.

The Warriors woeful batting collapse began soon after Knight Riders won the toss and elected to bowl. Warriors, who are at the bottom of the table, had crashed to a 79-run defeat to Gulf Giants the previous night after getting all out for 108. Their top order batters’ procession to the dug-out began from opener Niroshan Dickwella, who fell to the fourth ball of the first over from David Willey while attempting a lap shot but landed up being caught by Alishan Sharafu at short mid-wicket for 4.

One-drop Liam Livingstone lasted just five balls to score two runs before chopping Joshua Little onto his stumps. Worse was to follow as opener Johnson Charles hit Willey straight to Laurie Evans at mid-on for 1. Three wickets were down for just seven runs.

Sean Willliams joined his skipper Tom Kohler-Cadmore and pushed the score to 26 when Williams on 5 got out-caught and bowled brilliantly by Little, though the ball popped out of his hand in his first attempt. Kohler-Cadmore, who was scoring most of the runs, became the fifth wicket to fall to a beauty from Little. The ball nipped away and hit the top of Kohler-Cadmore’s off stump for 19.

Daniel Sams hit Andre Russell for two boundaries in the ninth over. Joe Denly, who played nine balls to score three runs, fell in the tenth over lifting Imad Wasim to Evans at long-on. James Fuller became the sixth batter to fall for a single digit when he lifted Ravi Bopara to Little at long-off for 3.

Daniel Sams, who kept the scoreboard ticking with a knock of 24, surprisingly went for a wild shot against Bopara and found his stumps shattered, and Warriors slipped to 66 for 8. Maheesh Theekshana picked Russell at long on to offer his catch off Bopara for 2. England’s Adil Rashid, playing his first match in this tournament, became the last man to fall and also became Bopara’s fourth victim for 10.

Knight Riders’ Andre Russell, who captained the team in this match, expressing his delight on moving to the second spot in points table, said: “The bowlers made it really easy for us tonight. They bowled in the perfect areas, and they made the new-ball dance. Picking early wickets was crucial. Although we were bowling based on how the wicket played, our main objective was to win this match.”

Warriors skipper Kohler-Cadmore, explaining his team’s poor show, remarked: “We kept losing wickets. That's been the problem throughout the tournament for us. We kind of seem to lose wickets in clumps and never recover. We need to work out something for the next couple of games. The top-order needs to stand up and take the game deeper, not go off from ball one. If we win two, we could sneak through; so we are not out yet.”

Player of the Match, Little, talking about his spell, said: “I tried to keep it simple. We spoke before in the team meeting about hitting a spot, and luckily there was movement for me. I was working on some areas. The Knight Riders are a great franchise and they have been backing me all the way.”

Brief scores:

Abu Knight Riders bt Sharjah Warriors by 7 wkts. Sharjah Warriors 75 in 17 overs (Daniel Sams 24, David Willey 2 for 16, Joshua Little 3 for 17, Ravi Bopara 4 for 15) Abu Knight Riders 79 for 3 in 10.1 overs (Joe Clarke 34, Muhammad Jawadullah 3 for 5)

Player of the Match: Joshua Little
 
Dubai, 06 February 2024: Gulf Giants, through an exhibition of superb teamwork and resilience, fought tooth and nail to defend a meagre total of 126 for 9 in 20 overs and pull off a 19-run win over Dubai Capitals in the 24th match of the DP World ILT20 season 2 at the Dubai International Stadium. This was the lowest total defended in the history of this tournament.

UAE’s 18-year-old left-arm spinner Aayan Afzal Khan bagged two wickets at a crucial stage of the match while his skipper James Vince produced two run outs to derail Capitals’ chase towards the easy target. Dasun Shanaka pushed Capitals closer to the target through an unbeaten 24 but last man Haider Ali became the third batter to fall for a run out. Capitals were thus bowled out for 107 in 18.3 overs.

Capitals’ Olly Stone (4 for 14) and Scott Kuggeleijn (3 for 29) ran through Giants’ batting line-up with a lethal combination of accurate pace and judicious use of slower deliveries to restrict Giants to 126 for 9 in 20 overs. The Gulf Giants were reeling at 17 for 4 at one stage but were lifted out of disaster by skipper Vince (32) and Shimron Hetmyer (34) through a 51-runs partnership for the fifth wicket in 42 balls.

Capitals made a mess of the ride towards the target losing both their openers for 30 runs. The first to go was their skipper and opener David Warner for 11 caught by Chris Jordan at mid-off to Jamie Overton, followed by opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz who was caught by Jordan at long on off Blessing Muzarabani for 15. When Jordan clean bowled Sam Billings for 12 and Gerhard Erasmus too clean bowled Max Holden for 7, the target looked unreachable.

All hopes now rested on Ben Dunk and Sikandar Raza. However, they could add only 19 runs between themselves before Dunk got run out to a direct hit from Vince from cover for 13. Aayan Khan clean bowled Raza for 10 to light up their hopes of a victory. Vince also ran out Kuggeleijn when he raced for a single that was not there.

Earlier, Capitals, placed fifth in the points table, won the toss and elected to bowl against third placed Gulf Giants. Opener Jamie Smith got out to the third ball of the second over from Kuggeleijn offering an easy catch to Shanaka at cover for 9. Stone struck twice in the third over. He first removed their consistent batter Chris Lynn for 1, brilliantly caught by Kuggeleijn who ran in from deep square leg and took a diving catch. With the next ball, he clean bowled Jordan Cox with a delivery that nipped back to hit the stumps.

Gerhard Erasmus too became another victim to Kuggeleijn following a sliding diving catch by Richardson at mid-wicket, for 2. Giants were left tottering at 17 for 4 in 3.4 overs.

Hetmyer, with unbeaten knocks of 40 and 53 from his previous two matches, joined his skipper and opener Vince. They steered the score past the 50-run mark in nine overs mainly through big hits from Hetmyer. Sikandar Raza would have gotten Hetmyer out for 23 had the ball not popped out of his hand to a return catch. However, Vince wasn’t equally lucky as his slog sweep took a top edge and landed up being caught and bowled by Haider Ali for 32. This also ended their fighting partnership.

Aayan Khan joined Hetmyer and added another 23 runs before Khan retired out for 10. Stone removed the danger man Hetmyer, caught by Kuggeleijn at long on for 34 in the 16th over for his third wicket. Kuggeleijn too picked his third wicket by getting Chris Jordan caught by Akif Raja at fine leg for 7. Stone then clean bowled Jamie Overton for 1. Dominic Drakes’ unbeaten 24 runs in 12 balls with three sixes and one boundary ensured Giants a total of over 120 runs.

James Vince, the player of the match and skipper of Giants said: “We went in knowing we could win but knew it was tough. Run-outs and catches we needed, and the bowlers did really well. There was a bit of spin, and a tiny bit of swing for the pacers. The two-paced wicket made it hard to commit early on to the shots. We knew we had to take early wickets, and we took 3 in the powerplay.”

Losing captain Warner said: “Our bowling unit did exceptionally well and to restrict them to 126 was a phenomenal effort. They bowled well, but we lost wickets in clumps and that’s been the trend for us throughout this tournament.”

Brief scores:

Gulf Giants bt Dubai Capitals by 19 runs. Gulf Giants 126 for 9 in 20 overs (James Vince 32, Shimron Hetmyer 34, Scott Kuggeleijn 3 for 29, Olly Stone 4 for 14) Dubai Capitals 107 in 18.3 overs (Dasun Shanaka 24n.o, Aayan Afzal Khan 2 for 8)

Player of the Match: James Vince
 
Sharjah Warriors (Playing XI) - Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Liam Livingstone, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (C), Joe Denly, Sean Williams, Daniel Sams, Chris Woakes, James Fuller, Adil Rashid, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders bench - Adhitya Shetty, Sabir Ali, Matiullah Khan, Ali Khan, Andries Gous, Jake Lintott and Marchant de Lange.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Playing XI) - Joe Clarke, Michael Pepper (WK), Alishan Sharafu, Sam Hain, Laurie Evans, Sagar Kalyan, Ravi Bopara, Imad Wasim, David Willey, Sunil Narine (C), Joshua Little.
TOSS - Sharjah Warriors have won the toss and they have opted to BOWL first.
 
Narine is not showing trust in Imad as a bowler.

Didn't give him the bowl during the bowling power play.
 
Leg spinner Adil Rashid, displaying his guile and artistry with the ball, backed with surgical precision, produced a spell of 4 for 12 to bowl out Abu Dhabi Knight Riders for a paltry 94 runs in 17.1 overs in the 25th match of the DP World ILT20 season 2 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. His mesmerizing spell ended Warriors’ three-match losing streak to win the match by seven wickets and also snap Knight Riders’ three-match winning run. It has also helped them remain in contention to reach the qualifiers, rising from the bottom of the table to the fourth position.

Chasing the moderate target, Liam Livingstone’s breezy knock of 30 off 13 balls and Niroshan Dickwella’s run-a-ball 30 runs, and their 52 runs partnership in 26 balls for the second wicket, ensured their team a victory in 13.5 overs.

The tale of Knight Riders’ dismal show began soon after bottom placed Warriors won the toss and elected to bowl against second placed Knight Riders. Opener Joe Clarke got clean bowled for a duck to the third ball of the first over from Chris Woakes that went through the bat and pad gap to hit the stumps. Woakes’ first over was a wicket-maiden. Daniel Sams too bowled a maiden in the fourth over.

Alishan Sharafu hit two boundaries and a six off Sams in the sixth over to take 14 runs. Michael Pepper too began to open out. The pair put on 61 runs off 48 balls for the second wicket when Sharafu, going for a sweep off Adil Rashid, top edged to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella. Pepper too fell to the last ball of that over from Rashid, clean bowled for 32.

At the half way mark, Knight Riders were 68 for 3 with Imad Wasim and Sam Hain struggling to get runs. To make matters difficult for Knight Riders, Liam Livingstone trapped Wasim leg before for 4. Half the side was back in the dug-out for 79 when Rashid bagged his third wicket having Hain caught by Joe Denly at long-off for 8 with the first ball of the 13th over. He also had Ravi Bopara out with the next ball, caught by Kohler-Cadmore at slip. Laurie Evans got run out for 13 to a direct hit by Livingstone for 13. Knight Riders thus lost their last four wickets for just four runs with Denly’s two quick strikes to return with figures of 2 for 0.

The chase began with Warriors losing their skipper Kohler-Cadmore early, playing on Joshua Little on to his wicket for 1. Livingstone began with a six and a boundary off successive balls off Little. Dickwella played second fiddle as Livingstone turned more aggressive. In the fourth over, Livingstone smashed Little for two sixes and two boundaries to take 21 runs off that over. He got out stumped by wicketkeeper Pepper off Imad Wasim for 30. His 13-ball knock had three boundaries and three sixes.

With 39 more runs needed from 87 balls, Martin Guptill joined Dickwella and took the score to 72 when Dickwella was stumped by Pepper off Wasim. The remaining 23 runs for their victory were scored between Guptill (13n.o) and Denly (18n.0).

Rashid, after bagging the Player of the Match award, said: “The seamers set it up, kept it tight and allowed me and the others to come into our own. I tried to vary it at times, bowl a bit slower and somedays it works. Fortunate for myself on how it went today.”

A happy Warriors’ skipper Kohler Cadmore said: “It’s nice to bounce back and finish relatively comfortably. Everytime I have played here, it has been a belter. But when Rash (Adil Rashid) come in to bowl, we knew spin was the way to go. We've got so many spin options, it was great to get it right with the ball.”

Knight Riders skipper Sunil Narine said: “We lost wickets in the first 6-8 overs, and then in the middle overs as well. We didn't get a total we could defend. It surprised us how much it spun today, but we should have adjusted better to these conditions.”

Brief scores:

Sharjah Warriors bt Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 7 wkts. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 94 in 17.1 overs (Michael Pepper 32, Alishan Sharafu 26, Adil Rashid 4 for 12, Joe Denly 2 for 0) Sharjah Warriors 95 for 3 in 13.5 overs (Niroshan Dickwella 30, Liam Livingstone 30, Imad Wasim 2 for 20)

Player of the Match: Adil Rashid
 
The MI Emirates have won the toss and have opted to field first against Gulf Gaints
 
Gulf Giants showcased grit and determination to pull off a narrow five-run win over MI Emirates in the 26th match of the DP World ILT20 season 2 at the Dubai International Stadium. The architects of Giants’ win were their skipper James Vince who showed the way through his 59 runs off 41 balls with seven boundaries and a six, and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith’s quick unbeaten 43 off 26 balls with four boundaries and two sixes. Together they helped Giants post a fighting total of 158 for 7. They then restricted MI Emirates to 153 for 7 in 20 overs.

Emirates’ skipper Kieron Pollard lit up hopes of a victory through his fighting knock of 40 off 31 balls with three boundaries and a six after opener Kusal Perera had hit 34 runs off 25 balls with five boundaries. Chris Jordan and Jamie Overton bowled the death overs to perfection and ensured their team’s win, which helped Giants move to the second slot in the points table. Unfortunately, Emirates’ left-arm spinner from Afghanistan, Waqar Salamkheil’s spell of 3 for 19 went in vain.

Chasing the target, their aggressive opening pair of Kusal Perera and Muhammad Waseem scored only 22 runs in 3.1 overs when Waseem got out to a running catch by Jordan Cox near the deep mid-wicket boundary off Gerhard Erasmus for 7. Andre Fletcher slashed at Chris Jordan to be caught by Shimron Hetmyer at backward point for 11. Ambati Rayudu quickly departed lifting Aayan Khan into the hands of Chris Jordan at long-on for 1.

At the half way mark, Perera who kept the scoreboard moving, fell, lifting Blessing Muzarabani to Vince at wide mid-off for 34. This was followed by a brilliant direct hit by Jamie Overton to run out Dan Mousely for 11. With half the side back in the dug-out, and 87 runs needed off 56 balls, Dominic Drakes and Aayan Khan bowled two tight overs giving away just four and five runs respectively.

The match was interestingly poised at 60 runs needed off 30 balls. Pollard unleashed his big hits while Odean Smith played second fiddle. Almost all spectators now moved towards the edge of their seats with 38 runs needed off 18 balls. Overton struck to remove Odean Smith on 12 caught brilliantly by Cox at deep mid-wicket for 12. Then Jordan forced Pollard to scoop a catch to Muzarabani to squash Emirates’ hopes of a victory.

Earlier, Emirates, who have qualified for the playoffs, won the toss and elected to bowl against third-placed Giants. Kieron Pollard captained Emirates in place of Nicholas Pooran, who had to join his team in the West Indies for their series against Australia. Opener and skipper Vince went for his shots right away and hit Muhammad Rohid for a six and two boundaries in the second over. He scored all 21 runs from the first two overs. Opener Jordan Cox got off the mark only in the third over, but Vince hit Trent Boult for three consecutive boundaries in the third over.

Sri Lankan leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, playing his first match, broke the 44-run opening partnership by trapping Cox leg before for 2 while attempting a reverse sweep. At the score of 68, Salamkheil took the valuable wicket of Chris Lynn, who went for a wild swing and got bowled for 16. Vince reached his half-century in 32 balls, but Giants’ consistent run-getter Shimron Hetmyer got clean bowled for 2 to a googly from Salamkheil that went through and hit the stumps.

Odean Smith, who was introduced in the 12th over, forced Gerhard Erasmus to edge to wicketkeeper Andre Fletcher for 7. Vince played Dan Mousley down the leg side into the gloves of Fletcher for 59. After half the side was back in the dugout for 89, Salamkheil picked his third wicket, having Jamie Overton out for 5, but Jamie Smith’s unbeaten 43 had swelled the total past the 150-run mark.

James Vince, skipper of the Giants, hailed his players and said: “Jamie Smith played a very good innings to get to a score which we felt we were in it. The bowlers bowled well, and CJ with those yorkers was exceptional. Three games ago we were under a bit of pressure to make the top four, but if we win on Saturday, we can finish in the top two.”

Skipper Pollard talked about the positives from their loss: “At the end , it was just one hit away with a couple of hits at the back end. Chris Jordan especially bowled well. Waqar (Salamkheil) has been fantastic again. The positives are that our guys getting a hit and it's good for us going forward. “

Player of the Match , Chris Jordan said he will be focusing on Saturday’s match and stated: “It was a good win for the boys. In that crunch moment at the death, execute and win or don't and lose. They have amazing players and we got over the line tonight. I have been working on a couple of things with the bowling coach to operate at the top end of my speed. It's working. We have to finish it on Saturday.”

Brief scores:

Gulf Giants bt MI Emirates by five runs. Gulf Giants 158 for 7 in 20 overs (James Vince 59, Jamie Smith 43n.o, Waqar Salamkheil 3 for 19) MI Emirates 153 for 7 in 20 overs (Kusal Perera 34, Kieron Pollard 40, Jordan Thompson 26 n.o, Chris Jordan 2 for 21)

Player of the Match: Chris Jordan
 
Dubai Capitals (Playing XI) - Tom Banton, Sam Billings (C/WK), Sikandar Raza, Rahul Chopra, Dasun Shanaka, Max Holden, Roelof van der Merwe, Scott Kuggeleijn, Olly Stone, Haider Ali, Richard Ngara

Desert Vipers (Playing XI) - Alex Hales, Phil Salt (WK), Colin Munro (C), Adam Hose, Dan Lawrence, Rohan Mustafa, Ali Naseer, Michael Jones, Sam Curran, Mohammad Amir, Nathan Sowter.

TOSS - The captains are out in the middle. The coin is flipped into the air and lands in favor of Dubai Capitals. They have elected to BOWL first.
 
Dubai, 09 February 2024: A last-ball six by Sikandar Raza and his fighting unbeaten 60 off 45 balls with five boundaries and two sixes lifted Dubai Capitals to a nail-biting five-wicket win over Dubai Capitals in the 27th match of the DP World ILT20 season 2 at the Dubai International Stadium. Raza orchestrated his team’s victory through a 79-run partnership in 54 balls for the fourth wicket with Sam Billings, who cracked 57 off 36 balls with five boundaries and two sixes, and a 40 runs partnership in 23 balls with Dasun Shanaka (10) for the fifth wicket.

With 13 runs needed off the last over, UAE's 19-year-old medium pacer Ali Naseer bowled a brave over, but when six runs were needed off the last ball Raza hit him over long on.

Vipers had posted a challenging 171 for 7 through Alex Hales 66 off 37 balls with four boundaries and six sixes, and his 66 runs opening partnership with Phil Salt (26). Other than Michael Jones’s cameo of 20, all the rest struggled for runs.

Chasing a run-rate of 8.55, the opening partnership between Tom Banton and Max Holden lasted only 16 runs. Holden fell to a superb leaping catch by Adam Hose at covers off Sam Curran for 8. Ben Dunk too got clean bowled to a delivery that beat him to hit the top of his off stump for 1. When Banton pulled Ali Naseer to Daniel Lawrence at deep square leg for 15, Capitals were in trouble.

By the half-way mark, Capitals needed 111 more runs. Billings raced to his 50 in 29 balls. Raza provided him with excellent support. In the 15th over, Matheesha Pathirana trapped Billings leg before with a yorker to end the partnership that was swelling to dangerous proportion.

Dasun Shanaka and Raza pushed the target closer with 29 runs needed off the last 18 balls. Raza reached his half century in 38 balls. Sam Curran ended the Raza-Shanaka partnership of 40 runs in 23 balls by clean bowling Shanaka for 10.

Earlier, bottom-placed Capitals won the toss and opted to bowl first against fifth placed Vipers. Openers Philip Salt and Alex Hales gave a positive start to the innings by going for their shots. Hales hit Richard Ngarava for three sixes and two boundaries in the second over to take 26 runs off that over. Their 50 runs partnership came in 3.1 overs with Hales scoring 40 of those runs. In the fifth over, Roelof van der Merwe broke the 66 runs partnership by getting Salt reverse sweep him to Ngarava at short third man for 26.

Hales reached his half century in 25 balls hitting his sixth six and two boundaries. By the end of the eighth over, Vipers reached the 100 run mark. Dan Lawrence added 34 runs for the second wicket with Hales before becoming Van der Merwe’s second victim caught by Rahul Chopra at long-off for 15. Skipper Colin Munro departed quickly to an Olly Stone delivery that went through the bat-pad gap to hit the stumps for 6. Stone also struck to end Hales’s fine knock by making him play a pull shot but ended up gloving the ball to Ngarava at short fine leg.

The fall of quick wickets reduced the prospects of a huge score. Sikandar Raza trapped Adam Hose leg before for 7 and strangled the run flow too. Haider also trapped Sam Curran leg before. No boundaries were scored for 38 balls. Michael Jones, who hit 20 runs, sliced Scott Kuggeleijn to Shanaka at point to give Vipers to a challenging total.

Raza, who has in the last one year, bagged 11 Player of the Match awards in T20s, the most by any player in the world, described his last-ball six by saying: “I said to myself, I don't think he will go short as I had hit one earlier out of the ground. I will hold my shape and try and hit it in the air and hit it as well as I can.”

About Ali Naseer, Raza said, “He bowled really well; these are things we have learnt all through our careers. For a 19-year-old to bowl the final over- fantastic, and he nearly won it for them. It could've gone either way; but sorry we needed that win tonight. The first thing that comes is the faith that keeps me going.”

Sam Billings, after hailing Raza’s knock said: “Raza has shown his true character and skill. I told him that one shot can get him back. We just had to hang in there and the spinners did a fantastic job, and they changed the game. We needed to win tonight, and we can deal with tomorrow. Very proud of the efforts.”

A disappointed Vipers’ skipper, Colin Munro, said: “They bowled exceptionally well, but we lost wickets in clumps which never helps. The top two played well but unfortunately we did not kick on. Credit to Ali Naseer, he bowled really well, he will be in those situations a lot of times in the future. Good for us for next year as well.”

Brief scores:
Dubai Capitals bt Desert Vipers by 5 wkts. Desert Vipers 171 for 7 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 26, Alex Hales 66, Michael Jones 20, Olly Stone 2 for 31, Roelof van der Merwe 2 for 19) Dubai Capitals 172 for 5 in 20 overs (Sam Billings 57, Sikandar Raza 60n.o, Sam Curran 2 for 39)

Player of the Match: Sikandar Raza
 
Gulf Giants have won the toss and elected to bat

Gulf Giants XI: Aayan Khan, Muhammad Zuhaib Zubair, Gerhard Erasmus, Jamie Overton, Chris Lynn, Dominic Drakes, James Vince (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Jordan Cox, Shimron Hetmyer, Chris Jordan

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders XI: Alishan Sharafu, Sagar Kalyan, Ali Khan, Fabian Allen, David Willey, Imad Wasim, Josh Little, Laurie Evans, Michael Pepper (wk), Jason Roy, Sunil Narine (c)
 
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Blessing Muzarabani has done it for Gulf Giants. He defended 11 runs in the final over against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in ILT20 2024.

Gulf Gaints won by 3 runs
 
Toss Update

The coin has flipped in favour of MI Emirates and they have elected to field first against Dubai Capitals.
 
MI Emirates need 47 runs in 30 balls against Dubai Capitals with 5 wickets remaining. We're heading towards a real tight finish in this match.
 

Dubai Capitals beat MI Emirates by 19 runs.​

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A clinical bowling effort in the first half and some firepower in the run chase have powered the Desert Vipers to the 6-wicket win at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium!

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The Desert Vipers sailed to a comfortable six-wicket win over the Sharjah Warriors in the 30th and final league match of the DP World ILT20 season 2 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium after rain delayed the start of the match and reduced it to an 18-over contest.

A fine bowling display from Vipers’ Nathan Sowter (3 for 21) and Matheesha Pathirana (3 for 28), well backed by Sam Curran (2 for 29), restricted Warriors to 121 for 9 in 18 overs. Vipers then raced to the target in 12.5 overs with openers Phil Salt (30) and Alex Hales putting on a 50-run partnership in 23 balls, followed by a 49-run partnership between skipper Colin Munro (27) and Dinesh Chandimal (24n.o) for the fourth wicket.

The Vipers, who were eliminated before the start of the match, won with 31 balls to spare. This victory helped them push the Warriors to the bottom of the table and to take the fifth slot.

In chasing the score, the Vipers' opener Salt hit a 12-ball 30 runs with four boundaries and two sixes before being dismissed by Sean Williams. One-drop Dan Lawrence got out quickly, pulling Junaid Siddique to Nilansh Keswani at fine leg for 7. Siddique also hit the off stump of Hales on 21 with an angling delivery. Dinesh Chandimal, with his skipper Colin Munro, smoothly carried their team to the target, though Munro got run out when seven runs were needed to win.

Earlier, the Desert Vipers won the toss and elected to bowl. The Warriors’ openers, Niroshan Dickwella and Tom Kohler-Cadmore, put on 25 runs in four overs before Sam Curran clean bowled Kohler-Cadmore, who went for a slog shot and missed. Dickwella, on 20, also followed attempting a sweep off off-spinner Daniel Lawrence, and the ball hit his pad and crashed onto the stumps. One-drop Luke Wells and Martin Guptill put on another 28 runs for the third wicket when leg-spinner Nathan Sowter clean bowled Guptill, who went for a slog sweep and missed, scoring 11.

With nine more overs left and the score at 55 for 3, Joe Denly joined Wells but lasted only five balls, scoring two runs before falling to Sowter, caught by Philip Salt at long-off. Sean Williams and Wells added another 25 runs before Wells’ fine knock ended at 31, caught and bowled by Sowter. Williams, who kept the score moving, fell to Pathirana at 23, caught by Curran at mid-on. Daniel Sams, who chipped in with 15 runs, also fell caught by Mustafa off Curran at long-off. The Warriors' innings ended with Pathirana clean bowling Mark Watt and Adil Rashid with the last two balls of the innings.

Player of the Match, Sowter, revealed how he picked those wickets. “The ball was staying a bit low, so I was trying to land it on a length and keep it on the stumps. I just backed my ability to do it again and again, and tonight I got the rewards.”

Vipers skipper Colin Munro was candid in his comment. “To be brutally honest, we haven't played good enough cricket throughout the tournament. One person who stuck up their hand with the bat was Alex Hales. We managed to adapt to the conditions well. Salt has played in two games and has performed admirably for us, and Alex Hales is one of the best openers in the world.”

Warriors’ skipper Kohler-Cadmore hoped that his team would make a strong comeback and said: “We have experienced highs and lows, so it's somewhat expected for us to be where we are. We're trying to take away positives from this, and hopefully, the guys will make a strong comeback next year and perform well.”

The schedule for the upcoming matches:

On February 13th (Tuesday), the Eliminator between Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Dubai Capitals will be held at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. On February 14th (Wednesday), Qualifier 1 between MI Emirates and Gulf Giants will be played at the Dubai International Stadium. The Qualifier 2, between the winner of the Eliminator and the loser of Qualifier 1, will be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on February 15th (Thursday). The final will be held on February 17th (Saturday) at the Dubai International Stadium between winner of Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2.

Brief scores:

Desert Vipers bt Sharjah Warriors by 6 wkts. Sharjah Warriors 121 for 9 in 18 overs (Niroshan Dickwella 20, Luke Wells 31, Sean Williams 23, Sam Curran 2 for 29, Nathan Sowter 3 for 21, Matheesha Pathirana 3 for 28) Desert Vipers 123 for 4 in 12.5 overs (Phil Salt 30, Alex Hales 21, Colin Munro 27, Dinesh Chandimal 24n.o, Junaid Siddique 2 for 16)

Player of the Match: Nathan Sowter
 
Abu Dhabi, 13 February 2024: Dubai Capitals eliminated Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 85 runs through a clinical all-round show in the Eliminator of the DP World ILT20 season 2 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Invaluable and timely knocks from opener Tom Banton, who scored 44 off 31 balls with seven boundaries, Tom Abell, who contributed 41 off 29 balls with six boundaries, and skipper Sam Billings, who remained unbeaten on 46 off 26 balls with two boundaries and two sixes, as well as Sikandar Raza's breezy 40 off 19 balls with five boundaries and one six, gave Dubai Capitals a winning total of 188 for 5.

Knight Riders failed to rise to the challenge and were bowled out for a paltry 103 runs through splendid bowling displays from Scott Kuggeleijn (4 for 17) backed by Zahir Khan (2 for 25) and Sikandar Raza (2 for 27). Capitals thus booked their slot for the Qualifier 2.

Knight Riders’ chase began on a bad note, losing opener Jason Roy to the second delivery of the first over from Kuggeleijn for a duck. Opener Michael Pepper too fell in the second over to Olly Stone brilliantly caught by a diving Abell at cover for 5. Capitals further strengthened their position through Kuggeleijn forcing one-drop Joe Clarke to play into the hands of Leus Du Plooy for 13 and consistent Alishan Sharafu out to a spectacular diving catch by Dasun Shanaka at short cover point for a duck. Half the Knight Riders were back in dug-out when Laurie Evans going for a sweep got bowled by Zahir Khan for 7.

With the score reading 46 for 5, Sam Hain managed to keep the score ticking through a sedate 29 before the accurate Raza clean bowled him. Raza then went on to end David Willey’s knock of 36 by clean bowling him too. Kuggeleijin speeded up the victory getting skipper Sunil Narine too caught by Banton at mid-off for 1.

Earlier, Knight Riders won the toss and elected to bowl against the Capitals. Opener Tom Banton scored a boundary off the first ball of the match from David Willey. However, along with opener Max Holden, he could only put on 15 runs before Holden miscued his lofted shot and was caught by Laurie Evans at mid-off for 1.

Du Plooy scored a run-a-ball nine runs but was clean bowled by UAE left-arm medium pacer Sabir Ali with a delivery that went through the bat and pad gap to hit the off stump. Tom Abell then joined Banton and took the score to within seven runs of the 100-run mark through a 63-run partnership for the third wicket. Fabian Allen then clean bowled Banton for 44 as he attempted a reverse shot.

Skipper Billings, batting down the order, joined Abell. At the score of 117, Sabir Ali struck again with a cutter that beat Abell and hit his off stump for 41. Sikandar Raza, one of their star performers, along with Billings, took the score past the 150-mark in 17.2 overs.

Billings then hit Sabir Ali for a six and two consecutive boundaries off the first three deliveries in the penultimate over. In the last over, Josh Little ended Raza’s valuable knock of 40 off 19 balls, caught by Evans at long-on. Although this ended his 69-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Billings, 54 valuable runs were added in the last four overs that gave Capitals an impressive total.

Sikandar Raza emerged the hero once again for Capitals to bag the Player of the Match award. Receiving the award, he said: “Any time a role is given to me, I will try to give my best. As long as I am prepared, I am happy to do it. We thought that if we get 160, they have to bat really well to win. Once we got 188, all we had to do was to get wickets in the powerplay. And once we did that, we were always in the game.”

A happy Capitals’ skipper Sam Billings, remarked: “We have played a couple of games here. But getting yourself in is always tricky. If you can get past 10-15, you can get going. We thought 160+ would be a very good score, and we were very happy with that score. They (Kuggeleijn and Stone) complement each other brilliantly. I am really happy with the way we have gone in the last three games. We are in a very good shape.”

Sunil Narine, captain of Knight Riders, was sporting despite the defeat: “In this tournament, powerplay is the key. Losing three wickets, we were always on the back foot. Reaching the second round was our first goal. We had a decent tournament. There were some positives. A lovely team bonding.”

Brief scores:

Dubai Capitals bt Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 85 runs. Dubai Capitals 188 for 5 in 20 overs (Tom Banton 44, Tom Abell 41, Sam Billings 46n.o, Sikandar Raza 40, Sabir Ali 2 for 35) Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 103 in 16.5 overs (Sam Hain 29, David Willey 36, Scott Kuggeleijn 4 for 17, Zahir Khan 2 for 25, Sikandar Raza 2 for 27).

Player of the Match: Sikandar Raza
 
Gulf Giants (Playing XI) - James Vince (C), Jordan Cox, Jamie Smith (WK), Usman Khan, Shimron Hetmyer, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Zohaib Zubair, Chris Jordan, Daniel Worrall, Blessing Muzarabani.

MI Emirates (Playing XI) - Muhammad Waseem, Kusal Perera, Andre Fletcher, Nicholas Pooran (C) (WK), Tim David, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Akeal Hosein, Trent Boult, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Waqar Salamkheil.

TOSS UPDATE - Gulf Giants won the coin flip and elected to BOWL first.
 
The Bald Eagle said:
Gulf Giants (Playing XI) - James Vince (C), Jordan Cox, Jamie Smith (WK), Usman Khan, Shimron Hetmyer, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Zohaib Zubair, Chris Jordan, Daniel Worrall, Blessing Muzarabani.

MI Emirates (Playing XI) - Muhammad Waseem, Kusal Perera, Andre Fletcher, Nicholas Pooran (C) (WK), Tim David, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Akeal Hosein, Trent Boult, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Waqar Salamkheil.

TOSS UPDATE - Gulf Giants won the coin flip and elected to BOWL first.
Click to expand...
Innings Break

MI Emirates 163/7 20 overs

The Gulf Giants require 164 runs to secure qualification for Qualifier 2 of the ILT20.
 
Dubai, 14 February 2024: MI Emirates stormed into the final through a domineering show over defending champions Gulf Giants to win by 45 runs in the Qualifier 1 of the DP World ILT20 season 2 at the Dubai International Stadium.

Giants were bowled out for 118 in 18.2 overs through Sri Lanka’s 22-year-old leg spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth bagging 3 for 22 after Windies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein (2 for 13) struck early and Afghanistan’s left-arm spinner Waqar Salamkheil chipping in with (2 for 27).

Emirates had posted a challenging total of 163 for 7 despite Australian medium pacer Daniel Worrall’s fine spell of 3 for 15 from his four overs well backed by Blessing Muzarabani (2 for 34). The architects of Emirates’ score were their skipper Nicholas Pooran (36) and Dwayne Bravo (30). They had put on a 45-run partnership off 36 balls for the fourth wicket. Later, Kieron Pollard smashed a breezy unbeaten 27 off 14 balls, and together with Tim David (29), added 45 runs in 26 balls for the sixth wicket.

The Giants’ chase began on a bad note losing their consistent scorer and captain James Vince to the first ball of the innings, clean bowled by Akeal Hosein. UAE’s left-arm medium pacer Muhammad Rohid produced a beauty to hit the top of the off stump of opener Jordan Cox too for 1 while Chris Lynn had Hosein caught by Fletcher at point for a run-a-ball 18.

Jamie Smith and Usman Khan pushed the score to 46 when Viyaskanth made Smith lift straight into the hands of Tim David at long-on for 10. Hetmyer began in his usual style hitting his very first delivery from Viyaskanth for a six. He lasted only four balls to score seven runs before edging Bravo to wicketkeeper Pooran.

Five down for 57 at the halfway mark, Emirates went for the kill. To make it easier for Emirates, Overton got run out for 5. Usman Khan too got out for 26 caught by Boult at long-off. Chirs Jordan delayed Emirates win through a 15 balls knock of 31 runs before being caught by Boult at long-off off Salamkheil.

Earlier, second-placed Giants won the toss and elected to bowl against MI Emirates, who were at the top of the table in this edition. Both teams had six victories and collected 12 points each but were separated only by Net Run Rate (NRR). Emirates played this qualifier after two successive defeats, while Giants had come in after a four-match winning run.

Opener Muhammad Waseem and Kusal Perera put on 34 runs in 4.1 overs before Waseem was dismissed, playing Daniel Worrall onto his wicket for 12. With the next delivery, Worrall clean bowled Andre Fletcher with a brilliant in-swinger. Skipper Nicholas Pooran, who had flown in from Perth after the West Indies-Australia 0ne-day series, joined opener Perera. At the score of 46, Worrall struck again, forcing Perera to edge to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith for 22.

The experienced pair of Bravo and Pooran took the total to 69 by the halfway mark. Pooran, who kept the scoreboard moving through some aggressive shots, fell to UAE’s young leg-spinner Zuhaib Zubair, caught by Hetmyer at deep square leg for 36. The score went past the 100-run mark in the 13.3rd over through a straight six by Bravo off Liam Dawson.

Blessing Muzarabani ended Bravo’s knock of 30 by getting him caught by Jordan Cox at deep mid-wicket. Tim David fell for 29 when Muzarabani got him caught by Hetmyer at deep square leg. Pollard remained unbeaten with a quick 27 off 14 balls. In the last five overs, Emirates scored 50 runs, losing two wickets.

Player of the match, Akeal Hosein, revealed how he produced a match wining spell: “ It's about trying to get accustomed as fast as possible and trying to put in as much recovery as possible on your off days. When I came in today, the first ball spun; so I said I'm going to run with that today.”

A delighted skipper Nicholas Pooran, skipper of MI Emirates, said: “The way we've played in the tournament so far has been brilliant. Proud of each and everyone of our members. Akeal was brilliant. It’s great to have experienced players. You can't buy experience. Bravo’s knock allowed Pollard and David to flourish.”

Giants captain James Vince candidly expressed his disappointment. “It was a disappointing performance. We were completely outplayed today. It was difficult to get our spinners in the game because of the left-right combination. If we had a left-hander to attack Akeal early on, it would have been useful. Unfortunately, conditions didn't change much through the match."

On 15 February, Dubai Capitals will take on Gulf Giants in Qualifier at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from 6:30pm local time.

Brief scores:

MI Emirates bt Gulf Giants by 45 runs. MI Emirates 163 for 7 in 20 overs (Kusal Perera 22, Nicholas Pooran 36, Dwayne Bravo 30, Tim David 29, Kieron Pollard 27n.o, Daniel Worrall 3 for 15, Blessing Muzarabani 2 for 34) Gulf Giants 118 in 18.2 overs (Usman Khan 26, Chris Jordan 31, Akeal Hosein 2 for 13, Waqar Salamkheil 2 for 27, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth 3 for 22)

Player of the Match: Akeal Hosein
 
TOSS - Gulf Giants have won the toss and they have elected to Bat first.

Dubai Capitals (Playing XI) - Haider Ali, Rahul Chopra, Jason Holder, Tom Abell, Scott Kuggeleijn, Rovman Powell, Olly Stone, Leus du Plooy, Sam Billings (C)(WK), Sikandar Raza, Zahir Khan.

Gulf Giants (Playing XI) - Aayan Khan, Usman Khan, Carlos Brathwaite, Jamie Overton, Chris Lynn, James Vince (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Jordan Cox, Chris Jordan, Liam Dawson, Shimron Hetmyer.
 
Dubai Capitals romp to victory and have sent a loud and clear message to MI Emirates not to take them lightly at all in Finals.

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Through a spirited performance, Dubai Capitals recorded a stunning nine-wicket victory over reigning champions Gulf Giants in the Qualifier 2 of the DP World ILT20 season 2 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Showing no signs of being beaten by the Giants twice in the league stage, and booking the last slot in the play-off table, Capitals excelled in all departments of the game. After restricting Giants to a paltry 138 for 6, Capitals won the match with 25 balls to spare.

Giants skipper James Vince had carried his team’s innings on his shoulder through a knock of 58 runs off 53 balls with four boundaries and two sixes. After a 25-run opening partnership with Usman Khan (21), Vince lifted his team from a disastrous 62 for 5 through a 55-run partnership in 46 deliveries with Chris Jodan (30n.o) for the sixth wicket. Unfortunately, all his efforts went in vain.

Chasing the moderate target, Capitals openers Leus du Plooy and Tom Banton gave a stupendous start putting on a 98 runs partnership. Du Plooy was severe on strike bowler Jordan hitting him for a six and two boundaries to take 16 runs off his first over. The opening partnership in 11.1 overs ended when Banton was caught by Overton at long-on off Liam Dawson for a run-a-ball 38 runs.

Du Plooy reached his half century in 35 balls and remained unbeaten on 63 off 40 balls with five boundaries and three sixes, and along with Tom Abell (20n.o), they steered their team into the final to be held on February 17 (Saturday) at the Dubai International Stadium.

Earlier, the Giants had won the toss and elected to bat against the Capitals who were on a three-match winning run. Usman Khan, who opened the innings, with his skipper Vince, started with a boundary off Scott Kuggeleijn past cover-point and a six over long-off into the press box. They gathered 25 runs in three overs before Khan, on 21, attempted a leg-side shot and top-edged Jason Holder, resulting in wicketkeeper Sam Billings taking an easy catch.

One-drop Chris Lynn followed with a duck, clean bowled by a delivery that kept low from Haider Ali. Next, Jordan Cox departed quickly, run out for 2, while Jamie Smith got caught by Olly Stone at mid-off off Sikandar Raza for a duck. The responsibility of lifting the Giants out of trouble now fell on Shimron Hetmyer and Vince, with the Giants reeling at 40 for 4 in 7.4 overs. They, however, added only 22 runs together before Hetmyer, attempting to turn Kuggeleijn to leg, got a top edge and was caught by Raza at cover for 8.

With half the side back in the dugout for 62 in 10.4 overs, Chris Jordan joined Vince, who scored his half-century in 47 balls. The pair put on 55 runs before Vince’s knock of 58 came to an end when he lifted Stone's delivery into the hands of Rovman Powell at long-on. This ended Giants’ hopes of crossing the 150-run mark as well. Jordan remained unbeaten with a run-a-ball 30.

Sam Billings, skipper of Dubai Capitals, talked about his team’s brilliant show: “A combination of factors helped us. Clarity and sticking to real basic cricket, especially on these kinds of wickets. We stuck to a formula. If not for (Sikandar) Raza hitting that last ball, we would have been out of the tournament. That really galvanised us and people stepped up. Anything can happen in the finals. But we are we confident with our recent form. We won't take it lightly as they are a great side, but if we play our best cricket, we will be very tough to beat.”

Player of the Match Leus Du Plooy, talking about his knock, said: “It was good fun out there. Our bowlers bowled really well to give us a chaseable target. Then Banton and I got off to a good start. I tried to stay as busy as possible and not face too many dots.”

Losing captain Vince explained his team’s defeat saying: “In hindsight, conditions got a little better when the dew came on. They won both powerplays, we lost wickets and we had to rein ourselves back in to get some runs in the back end. 140 was parish and below-par; we got off to a poor start and from there on it was hard to wrestle the momentum back. We still finished second on the table. Unfortunately, we couldn't replicate our performances from last year. We were slightly off our game, the other sides were good, and we were outplayed on a couple of nights. The boys have put in a huge amount of effort and we have a lot to be proud of.”

Brief scores:

Dubai Capitals bt Gulf Giants by 9 wkts. Gulf Giants 138 for 6 in 20 overs (James Vince 58, Usman Khan 21, Chris Jordan 30n.o) Dubai Capitals 139 for 1 in 15.5 overs (Leus du Plooy 63n.o, Tom Banton 38, Tom Abell 20n.o)

Player of the match: Leus du Plooy
 
MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals, Final

Dubai Capitals have won the toss and have opted to field

Dubai Capitals (Playing XI): Leus du Plooy, Tom Abell, Sam Billings(w/c), Rovman Powell, Sikandar Raza, Scott Kuggeleijn, Jason Holder, Rahul Chopra, Olly Stone, Haider Ali, Zahir Khan

MI Emirates (Playing XI): Muhammad Waseem, Andre Fletcher, Nicholas Pooran(w/c), Dwayne Bravo, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Kusal Perera, Kieron Pollard, Akeal Hosein, Trent Boult, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Waqar Salamkheil
 
Last edited:
Dubai Capitals 63/3 after 8 overs against MI Emirates in the final of ILT20 2024 while chasing a target of 209.
 
MI Emirates lifted the trophy in the second edition of the ILT20 as they beat Sam Billings' Dubai Capitals by 45 runs in the final.

After Capitals opted to bowl, Muhammad Waseem and Kusal Perera gave Emirates a blazing start, smashing 72 in the first six overs. While the next six overs produced only 31 runs, Pooran's unbeaten 57 off 27 balls towards the end steered Emirates to 208 for 3, the highest total of the season.

In response, Capitals kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Their highest partnership was 38, between Billings and Sikandar Raza for the fourth wicket. Both sides were found wanting in the field, with Emirates dropping six catches in all. But they had enough run cushion to not let those reprieves hurt them.

Earlier, Billings went against the conventional wisdom of putting up runs on the board in a big game, and Waseem and Perera soon made him rethink his decision. The two muscled Emirates past 50 in just 3.3 overs. By the end of the powerplay, Waseem had scored 43 on his own.


EHPCv4N.jpeg
 

ILT20 hands Noor Ahmed 12-month ban for breaching player agreement​

Following Noor’s refusal, the Sharjah Warriors approached the ILT20 to intervene in this dispute​

The International League T20 has banned spinner Noor Ahmad for 12 months for breaching his Player Agreement with Sharjah Warriors who had signed him for Season 1 of the tournament. Noor was offered another year’s extension by the Warriors but refused to sign the retention notice for Season 2.

Noor played for Sharjah Warriors in Season 1 of the ILT20 (January-February 2023) who sent him a retention notice on the same terms and conditions in accordance with the Player Agreement terms ahead of Season 2.

Following Noor’s refusal, the Sharjah Warriors approached the ILT20 to intervene in this dispute.

The ILT20’s three-member Disciplinary Committee which includes the league’s Chief Executive Officer David White, Head of Security and Anti-Corruption Col. Azam and Member Emirates Cricket Board Zayed Abbas investigated the matter and separately heard both the parties i.e. Noor and Sharjah Warriors and on examining the evidence before them conveyed its final verdict of a 12-month ban on Noor.

The committee had initially recommended a 20-month ban but took into consideration the fact that Noor was a minor at the time of signing the Player Agreement and has represented to the committee that his agent had not informed him of the full terms of contract and as such pardoned eight months from his original ban.
 
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