MI Emirates advance to ILT20 final with 45-run win in Qualifier 1 as defending champions Gulf Giants embarrass themselves in run chase

Nicholas Pooran-led MI Emirates reached the final of ILT20 2024 with a 45-run win over the Gulf Giants at Dubai International Stadium on February 14. Chris Jordan turned out to be the only batter who scored with a strike rate of 100 (batters with double-digit scores) as defending champions Gulf Giants were bowled out for 118 in the run chase of 164.
 

Worrall makes an impact but Pollard’s late charge helps MI Emirates

Gulf Giants skipper James Vince won the toss and opted to field first. Kusal Perera and Muhammad Waseem got MI Emirates off to a steady start. In the fifth over, Daniell Worrall struck twice to dismiss Muhammad Waseem and Andre Fletcher. Pooran hit the first six of the innings in the sixth over. In the seventh over, Worral struck again to dismiss Perera who scored 22 runs from 17 balls. 
 

Dwayne Bravo struggled to score in the middle overs. In the 13th over, Zuhaib Zubair dismissed Pooran. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 36 runs from 28 balls. Bravo hit a six to break the shackles but lost his wicket to Blessing Muzarabani in the 16th over. Bravo scored 30 runs from 28 balls. In the slog overs, Tim David hit a few boundaries but Pollard pushed their score. In the final over David got dismissed for 21-ball 29 by Muzarabani. Akeal Hosein got run out trying to take the extra run. Pollard's unbeaten 14-ball 27 took MI Emirates' score to 163/7.

Run chase derailed early

In the run chase, skipper Vince got bowled by Hosein's first ball. Chris Lynn hit Trent Boult for the first six of the innings. In Hosein's next over, his catch was dropped. Muhammad Rohid Khan ended Jordan Cox's troubled stay at the crease. Hosein in his third over got the better of Lynn who scored 18 runs from 19 balls. Jamie Smith slowed down after hitting a six. He fell to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth. Shimron Hetmyer announced his arrival with a six. Bravo got Hetmyer's wicket off the last ball of the 10th over.

In the 13th over, Gulf Giants lost two wickets as their run chase got derailed. First, Jamie Overton was run out. On the next ball, Usman Khan got caught trying to hit a big shot. He scored 26 runs from 28 balls. Gulf Giants lost seven wickets for 69. Jordan infused life into the run chase while Liam Dawson became Vyaskanth's third victim. Jordan went after Bravo and Wara Salamkheil. In the 17th over, the English all-rounder's cameo came to an end. His 15-ball 31 featured two fours and three sixes. Salamkheil got his wicket. In his next over, he dismissed Worrall to bowl out Gulf Giants for 118.
 

Hosein was named 'Player of the Match' as he conceded just 13 runs from his quota of four overs and picked up a couple of wickets.
 

Gulf Giants will now face Dubai Capitals on February 15 in Qualifier 2. The final will be played on February 17.
 

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