SHARJAH: MI Emirates held their nerve in a tense finish to claim a four-run victory in the ILT20 over the Sharjah Warriorz at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday, with Romario Shepherd delivering a decisive all-round performance to seal the result.

After being put in to bat, MI Emirates posted a competitive 185, built on contributions throughout the innings and a late onslaught from Shepherd.

UAE international Muhammad Waseem led the scoring with 39 off 29 deliveries, striking two fours and two sixes, while Tom Banton added a vital 32 from 21 balls. Shepherd provided the finishing touch, blasting an unbeaten 31 off just 10 balls, including four sixes, to propel his side to a strong total. For the Warriorz, Adil Rashid impressed with figures of 3 for 32.

MI Emirates began cautiously, with Jonny Bairstow (37 off 24) striking their first six only in the third over. That shot sparked early momentum as the side reached 49 without loss at the end of the power play, but Junaid Siddique halted the progress by dismissing Bairstow immediately after.

Waseem continued to keep the scoreboard ticking before Rashid shifted the balance, removing Nicholas Pooran for 5 and then dismissing Waseem two balls later. At 119-3 after 15 overs, MI Emirates required a strong finish, which Banton helped provide with a composed innings before Shakib Al Hasan (16 off 12) was retired out to allow skipper Kieron Pollard to accelerate.

Although Pollard’s stay was brief, US batter Tajinder Singh (17 off 8) struck Rashid for two sixes late on, before Shepherd took control at the death, clearing the ropes twice in the final over to lift MI Emirates to 185.

In reply, the Warriorz began positively, with Johnson Charles striking three boundaries in his 15 off 13 balls. However, Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi made crucial early inroads, reducing the hosts to 48-3 at the end of the power play.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore then led the recovery alongside Sikander Raza, who played the aggressor’s role with an explosive half-century off just 26 balls, bringing it up with a six off Shepherd. The pair added 103 runs in 59 balls to swing momentum firmly in the Warriorz’ favor.

MI Emirates clawed their way back into the contest through Allah Ghazanfar, who removed Raza and then struck again with the very next delivery to bowl Dwaine Pretorius, delivering a pivotal two-wicket maiden. Although Kohler-Cadmore went on to reach his 50 off 40 balls, his dismissal in the penultimate over left the Warriorz needing 21 from the final two overs.

Shepherd then produced a superb final over under pressure, sealing victory with disciplined death bowling to hand MI Emirates their first win of the season.

Speaking after the match, MI Emirates captain Pollard said he was pleased.

“Cricket is a game of uncertainties, if you fight till the end, anything can happen. Full credit to the players for staying in the contest,” he said.

“Losing wickets close together slowed us down and although we tried to rebuild, they bowled well. Romario Shepherd’s late surge gave us crucial momentum heading into the second half.

“Before the final ball, I told him not to change anything from what he had done in the first five deliveries. The two wickets in Ghazanfar’s over proved to be the turning point for us.”

Sharjah Warriorz skipper Tim Southee was in reflective mood after the defeat.

“Both sides were in the game throughout and the partnership between Kohler-Cadmore and Raza was outstanding, but we fell short in the end,” he said.

“Our bowling was an improvement from the other night, though as a unit we know we can be better. The day game was always going to be different and while we handled it better, there is still room to improve.

“Ideally, you want someone set at the end of a chase, but as a bowling side, if you keep taking wickets, you stay in the contest until the last over, credit to them. As for Karthik’s injury, I’m not sure yet, I haven’t seen him.”