ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Nicholas Pooran hammered an unbeaten half-century and, together with Muhammad Waseem, carried MI Emirates to a convincing eight-wicket victory over the struggling Gulf Giants when the International League T20 continued on Tuesday.
Playing at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Pooran blasted 69 not out off 49 balls, with six fours and three sixes. At the same time, Player-of-the-Match Waseem hit an unbeaten 59 off 42 deliveries with three sixes and three fours, as the Emirates easily overhauled the Giants’ total of 141 for six, racing to 142 for two in just 16.3 overs.
Following the early losses of Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton, who both fell for ducks to see the Emirates reduced to two for two, Pooran and Waseem shared an unbroken partnership of 140 runs to see their side to victory comfortably.
Earlier, Romario Shepherd took two wickets to restrict the Giants to a below-par total. Shepherd bowled captain James Vince for two and had Asif Khan caught for 12, to see the Giants slump to 27 for three in the fourth over.
Only Moeen Ali, who struck 51 off 48 balls with two sixes and two fours, and Barbadian Kyle Mayers, who scored an unbeaten 28 off 18 balls, inclusive of four fours and one six, put up any resistance.
Fazalhaq Farooqui was the pick of the Emirates’ bowlers with 2-17, while Shepherd claimed 2-36 from his four overs. The win propelled the Emirates to second in the standings on 12 points from their nine matches, two points behind leaders Desert Vipers.
Meanwhile, the Giants maintained fourth position on six points with a 3-6 record.
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