LONDON: MI Emirates continued their sparkling run of form on Sunday and proved why they are everyone’s favorites for the International League T20 title by notching up a resounding 30-run win over the Desert Vipers.

In what was their sixth victory in eight matches, the MI Emirates posted a first-innings score of 188 for the loss of five wickets from their 20 overs, buoyed by a swashbuckling knock of 65 runs from Kusal Perera and a late-innings assault from Nicholas Pooran, who scored 39. Ambati Rayudu also contributed with a hard-fought 44 runs.

The Desert Vipers’ run chase never found momentum and encumbered by the clinical bowling of the MI Emirates, they lost wickets at frequent intervals, including five in the powerplay.

The Vipers’ innings got off to the worst possible start and they lost 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 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.

Even a valiant 63 runs from 47 deliveries by Emirati middle-order batter Ali Naseer could not drag the Vipers to victory.

The Vipers could only reach 158 for eight as they slumped to a fifth defeat in their eight games and are clinging on to a semifinal berth on net run rate.

“I was happy to get some runs, but I was obviously sad not to win the game for the team today,” Naseer said.

“MI Emirates had a pretty strong bowling attack, so I was glad to get some runs against them. And I’m hoping to take some confidence into my future games for the UAE and in the ILT20,” he added.

Following the match, MI Emirates opener 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 until the 15th over, but we did very well in the death over to put up a big score, thanks to Nicholas Pooran.”

He 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.”