ABU DHABI: Opening batters Kusal Perera and Muhammad Waseem’s half-centuries helped MI Emirates register a thumping eight-wicket victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the 12th match of the ILT20.
While batting first, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders had a decent start but lost their first wicket on the stroke of the fourth over as Joe Clarke departed after scoring 21 off 13.
The wicket was followed by a quick 50-run partnership between Michael Pepper and Alishan Sharafu before Trent Boult struck to send Pepper back to the pavilion.
Pepper scored 38 runs from 28 balls with the help of four boundaries and one six.
Sharafu was joined by Sam Hain and together they raised 39 runs inside the next five overs.
Boult helped break the stand again but this time as the fielder, catching Sharafu (37) off Waqar Salamkheil to reduce Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to 122-3.
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Hain scored 40 off 31 which included five boundaries before Fazalhaq Farooqi struck to dismiss Hain and Laurie Evans in three balls with 145 runs on the board.
Andre Russell, in his one-sided unbeaten 43-run partnership with Imad Wasim, turned the game on its head with belligerent hitting as Abu Dhabi Knight Riders scored 188/5 in their allocated 20 overs.
Russell scored a blistering 46 runs from 17 balls, featuring six maximums, while Imad Wasim scored 2 off 4.
Fazalhaq Farooqi led the bowling for MI Emirates with the figures of 3-35, supported by Salamkheil and Boult, who picked one wicket each.
In response, the Emirates came out all guns blazing with a 110-run opening stand between Kusal Perera and Muhammad Waseem in 9.5 overs.
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Both batters took the bowlers head-on, hitting all around the ground and scoring quick half-centuries before David Willey got Perera caught behind.
Perera played a blistering innings of 57 runs off 27 balls which included four boundaries and three sixes.
Waseem continued his onslaught during a 66-run stand with Nicholas Pooran (33) pushing the team closer to the finishing line but Ali Khan removed Pooran to break the stand.
With 13 needed off 16 Tim David joined Waseem and together they helped their team chase the total with an over to spare.
Waseem scored an unbeaten 86 off 61, featuring eight boundaries and three sixes alongside David, who scored 10 off 7.
MI Emirates solidified their position at the top of the ILT20 points table with four victories out of five games, followed by Dubai Capitals in the second.
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