MI Emirates continued their domination in International League T20 2024 with an eight-wicket win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Andre Russell's unbeaten 17-ball 46 featuring six sixes went in vain as United Arab Emirates (UAE) opener Muhammad Waseem's unbeaten 87 and Kusal Perera's half-centuries helped MI Emirates get over the line with one over to spare.
Earlier, MI Emirates skipper Nicholas Pooran won the toss and opted to field first. Joe Clarke departed after a 13-ball 21 cameo. Fazalhaq Farooqi got the first wicket. After powerplay overs, Knight Riders were 57/1. Trent Boult came back into the attack and dismissed Michael Pepper who scored 38 runs from 28 balls. At the halfway stage, they were 84/2.
Alishan Sharafu hit two sixes and three fours before losing his wicket to Waqar Salamkheil. Russell did not attack from ball one. In the 18th over, Farooqi struck twice to dismiss Sam Hain and Laurie Evans. Hain scored 40 runs from 31 balls. Russell went berserk after that and ended Farooqi's spell with a maximum. In the penultimate over, Russell smashed Boult for a couple of sixes. In the final over, Russell hit three sixes to help Knight Riders to 188/5.
In the run chase, MI Emirates openers took on Imad Wasim in the first over scoring 15 runs. In David Willey's first over, Waseem and Perera hit one six each. Perera targetted Sunil Narine as well, hitting him for two fours and a six in the 19-run over. Waseem got an early reprieve as Ali Khan dropped his catch off Russell's bowling. Boundaries continued to flow. MI Emirates were 89/0 after powerplay overs. In the eighth over, Waseem got to his half-century from 28 balls. A few deliveries later, Perera reached the milestone from 22 balls.
Willey broke the partnership in the 10th over. Perera hit four fours and three sixes in the 27-ball 56. The openers shared a 110-run stand. In the 13th over, Pooran hit Russell for a couple of fours. In the 16th over, Pooran hit Khan for a four and a six. In Ali's next over, Pooran departed for a 19-ball 33. Tim David hit a six in the penultimate over. On the last ball, Waseem finished the run chase with a single. His 61-ball 87 was laced with eight fours and three sixes.
“Really happy, trying to play my natural game. Team is in good form and everyone is contributing and I hope we go with the same momentum for all the games. I want to dedicate this award to my son,” Waseem said in the post-match presentation.
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