Synopsis
On February 1, Nicholas Pooran led MI Emirates to a remarkable five-wicket victory against Gulf Giants in ILT20 Season 3 at Dubai International Stadium. Pooran's unbeaten 58 off 37 deliveries earned him the Player of the Match award, marking MI Emirates' first win of the season.Key Takeaways
- Nicholas Pooran played a crucial role in MI Emirates' victory.
- The team successfully chased down 173 runs.
- Gulf Giants' James Vince scored 86 runs, but it wasn't enough.
- MI Emirates' strong partnerships were key to their success.
- The match highlighted the importance of capitalizing on opportunities.
Dubai, Feb 1 (NationPress) The MI Emirates captain Nicholas Pooran showcased his stellar form, leading his team to victory against the Gulf Giants during the ILT20 Season 3 at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday night. The MI Emirates claimed the match by five wickets, marking their first win of the season in Dubai. Skipper Pooran, who earned the Player of the Match accolade, finished not out with 58 runs off 37 balls, significantly impacting the game.
Initially, the Gulf Giants, batting first, got off to a solid start as openers Gerhard Erasmus and James Vince consistently found the boundary. However, Erasmus was dismissed for 12 by Akeal Hosein in the third over.
This brought Jordan Cox to the crease alongside Vince, and they maintained a brisk scoring rate, concluding the powerplay at 52/1. The pair formed a partnership of 51 runs, but Alzarri Joseph ended their collaboration in the 10th over. Tom Curran contributed 13 more runs as Vince reached his fifty.
As the innings progressed, Vince, supported by Shimron Hetmyer, created a solid foundation for the Gulf Giants to accelerate.
Following a couple of eight-run overs, a 19-run 16th over showcased Vince’s attacking prowess. However, the MI Emirates tightened their grip, taking the wickets of Hetmyer for 15 and Vince for 86 off 50 balls, marking his highest score in the ILT20. The Giants finished their innings at 173/6 in 20 overs, with Tim David and Chris Jordan both scoring 10 not out.
In reply, the MI Emirates launched their chase aggressively. Openers Andre Fletcher and Muhammad Waseem quickly racked up runs, producing a partnership of 44 before Waseem fell for 26 off 10. Tom Banton added 11 before Aayan Khan claimed his wicket.
Vince then ran out Kusal Perera for one, but Fletcher continued to build momentum, scoring 31 before being bowled by Blessing Muzarabani, who wrapped up an impressive spell of 1 for 17 in four overs. The MI Emirates faced a slowdown, with Nicholas Pooran and Bevon Jacobs attempting to steer the chase.
With 71 runs needed in the final five overs and six wickets in hand, Pooran and Jacobs countered the bowling attack, forming a 53-run partnership off 33 deliveries. Jacobs scored 18 before Chris Jordan dismissed him, while Captain Pooran kept the momentum going with Romario Shepherd supporting him.
In the 18th over, Pooran reached his half-century, placing the MI Emirates in a commanding position. Shepherd contributed some powerful hits in the penultimate over, leaving the team needing six runs in the final over. Pooran sealed the match with a six off the first ball, securing a remarkable five-wicket victory.
Player of the Match Nicholas Pooran stated, “I knew I had to get the job done and had to be there till the end. I am more experienced now and know what's required. The key is to trust yourself to absorb the pressure.”
Gulf Giants’ captain James Vince remarked, “We didn't feel it was that straightforward out there. There was some turn for the slower bowlers, but we dropped a catch, and it ultimately cost us tonight. Tonight hasn't gone well for us.”
Brief scores:
Gulf Giants: 173/6 in 20 overs (James Vince 86; Muhammad Rohid Khan 2-36) lost to MI Emirates: 174/5 in 19.1 overs (Nicholas Pooran 58 not out, Andre Fletcher 31, Romario Shepherd 23 not out; Ayan Khan 2-9) by five wickets.
