MI Emirates have sealed their spot for the season 4 final of the ILT20 after a convincing seven-wicket win against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Qualifier 2 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. MI will face the Desert Vipers in the final on 4 January at the Dubai International Stadium.
MI Emirates’ chase
After restricting the Knight Riders to 120/8, MI Emirates’ chase was led by Tom Banton and Shakib Al Hasan, who shared an 82-run stand off 53 balls to steer the team home comfortably.
The Knight Riders were powered by Alishan Sharafu’s unbeaten 50, while Allah Ghazanfar was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets for 24 runs. Despite their efforts, the team managed only a modest total.
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MI Emirates off to a bad start
MI Emirates off to a slow start, losing Andre Fletcher early for 5, and struggled to rotate the strike, reaching just 26/1 at the end of the powerplay. But Banton (62 off 53) and Shakib (38 off 24) stabilised the innings, taking the attack to the Knight Riders’ bowlers. A decisive 17-run 12th over helped them shift momentum, and Banton reached his half-century off 49 balls in the 15th over. Even after Shakib’s dismissal in the 16th over, MI Emirates completed the chase with 23 balls to spare.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ innings
Earlier, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ innings had several setbacks. Michael Pepper was run out in the second over, and Brandon McMullen fell LBW shortly after. The Knight Riders struggled to find boundaries, with Alex Hales (29 off 36) and Sharafu briefly reviving the innings through a 47-run partnership. Ghazanfar’s double strike in the 18th over, which removed Jason Holder and Sunil Narine, effectively ended the Knight Riders’ resistance. Sharafu finished unbeaten on 50, guiding his team to 120/8.
ILT20 final
With this win, MI Emirates advance to their second final in four seasons, powered by strong performances from both their batters and bowlers, and will now take on the Desert Vipers for the title decider.