ABU DHABI: MI Emirates climbed to third place in the DP World ILT20 standings after cruising to a seven-wicket victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday, after a wobble that had left them with just one win from their first three games.
A superb bowling display set up the win, with Fazalhaq Farooqi delivering the standout performance of the match. The left-arm seamer claimed 4 for 14, with Kamindu Mendis adding three wickets as Knight Riders were dismissed for just 122 in 19.3 overs.
Chasing this modest target, Mohammed Waseem provided the early momentum for MI Emirates with a blistering 27 off 12 balls, smashing three sixes in a single over before falling to Ajay Kumar.
Nicholas Pooran departed cheaply but then Jonny Bairstow took control of the innings with an assured, unbeaten 49 off 38 deliveries, including seven fours.
As Bairstow accelerated with his flurry of boundaries off Kumar, Tom Banton contributed 29 off 20 deliveries in a 64-run partnership that effectively ended the contest by the ninth over.
Banton fell to Khary Pierre, making way for Mendis, who finished on 10 not out off seven deliveries and ended the chase in style with a six off Olly Stone, sealing the victory in only 13.5 overs.
Earlier, Knight Riders had started brightly through Phil Salt and Alex Hales, but their early aggression quickly faded. Romario Shepherd removed Salt, and Farooqi dismissed Hales as the side slumped to 37 for 2 by the end of the Powerplay.
Brandon McMullen, Alishan Sharafu and Liam Livingstone all struggled to build momentum against some tight bowling. Sharafu top-scored with 38 off 34 deliveries, including a brief 36-run stand with Sunil Narine, who contributed 26, but the wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
Mendis removed Livingstone and Sherfane Rutherford in quick succession, while Rashid Khan accounted for Sharafu. Farooqi then returned to dismantle the tail, taking two wickets in the final over to complete a clinical spell.
MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard said his side “needed those points,” adding: “Today was a professional effort from everyone … It is about reminding the guys of what’s important: to play consistently and play well.”
Knight Riders skipper Jason Holder admitted his team had fallen short with the bat: “122 was never going to be enough. Execution has been our biggest issue. Many of our players got starts but didn’t carry on, and we never built a partnership.”
MI Emirates now sit in third place on four points, two behind Gulf Giants and four behind leaders the Desert Vipers. Knight Riders are second-bottom on two points with only one win from four matches.
