MI Emirates Crush Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 7 Wickets to Enter ILT20 Final and hillite match details
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls |
| Alex Hales | 29 | 36 |
| Michael Pepper | 1 | 4 |
| Brandon McMullen | 13 | 8 |
| Liam Livingstone | 4 | 10 |
| Alishan Sharafu | 50 | 40 |
| Andre Russell | 3 | 10 |
| Jason Holder | 1 | 2 |
| Sunil Narine | 4 | 3 |
| Unmukt Chand | 2 | 4 |
| Piyush Chawla | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 120/8 | (20 Overs) |
MI Emirates Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls |
| Muhammad Waseem | 10 | 14 |
| Andre Fletcher | 5 | 6 |
| Tom Banton | 64 | 53 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 38 | 24 |
| Sanjay Krishnamurthi | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 122/3 | (16.1 Overs) |
Sharjah: In a high-stakes encounter at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, MI Emirates displayed a clinical performance to dismantle the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) by 7 wickets in Qualifier 2. The victory ensures MI Emirates a spot in the grand final of the DP World ILT20 Season 4 (2025-26), where they will face the high-flying Desert Vipers for the title.
The Toss and Early Breakthroughs
MI Emirates skipper Kieron Pollard won a crucial toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that paid immediate dividends on a Sharjah track that offered assistance to the bowlers early on. The Knight Riders, coming off a confident win in the Eliminator, struggled to find any rhythm.
The opening pair of Michael Pepper and Alex Hales, who had been instrumental in ADKR’s late-season surge, were kept quiet by a disciplined MI Emirates attack. Muhammad Rohid Khan provided the initial breakthrough, striking twice in the powerplay to remove the dangerous Phil Salt and Michael Pepper. When the star-studded middle order consisting of Liam Livingstone and Andre Russell failed to fire—falling cheaply to the guile of Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar—the Knight Riders were left reeling at 33/3 inside the first seven overs.
ADKR’s Middle-Order Struggle
While Alishan Sharafu played a lonely hand, anchoring one end with a gritty 47 off 37 balls, he received little support from the other side. The MI Emirates spinners, led by the experienced Shakib Al Hasan and the young sensation Ghazanfar, strangled the scoring rate in the middle overs.
The pressure told as wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals. Andre Russell’s departure for just 1 run, followed by Jason Holder’s dismissal, effectively ended any hopes of a late-innings explosion. ADKR eventually limped to a below-par total of 120/8 in their 20 overs. Ghazanfar was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 3/24, while Farooqi and Rohid Khan shared two wickets each.
The MI Emirates Response
Chasing a modest target of 121, MI Emirates’ approach was calculated yet aggressive. Openers Muhammad Waseem and Andre Fletcher provided a solid foundation. Waseem, known for his explosive power, struck three boundaries and a six in his quickfire 27 off 22 balls before falling to Sunil Narine.
Fletcher continued the momentum, playing a steady role with 35 off 30 balls. Despite a minor hiccup when ADKR captain Jason Holder dismissed Fletcher, the target was never out of reach.
The Finish
The match was effectively sealed by a composed partnership between Tom Banton and Nicholas Pooran. Banton, who has been in sublime form throughout the tournament, remained unbeaten on 28 off 24 balls, rotating the strike with ease and punishing loose deliveries.
Kieron Pollard walked out to finish things in style, smashing two towering sixes in his 6-ball cameo of 14 runs. MI Emirates crossed the finish line in the 16th over, reaching 122/3 with 24 balls to spare.
Road to the Final
This win marks a significant comeback for the MI Emirates after their defeat in Qualifier 1. They now head to the final with momentum on their side and a bowling unit that looks almost unplayable under lights. For the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, it was a disappointing end to a season that saw them peak late, but ultimately fall short when the stakes were highest.
MI Emirates Crush Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 7 Wickets to Enter ILT20 Final
The stage is now set for a blockbuster final at the Dubai International Stadium. Can MI Emirates claim their second ILT20 title, or will the Desert Vipers secure their first? Stay tuned to Sportzons.com for all the live updates and analysis of the grand finale!
