ILT20: MI Emirates thrash Gulf Giants by 18 runs in Match 4

Match four of the International League T20 2024 (ILT20) saw the MI Emirates taking on Gulf Giants at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The match eventually turned out to be a one-sided affair as MI Emirates won the game in the end by 18 runs. This was the first win by MI Emirates in the tournament in their second game. With this win, they have now climbed onto the fourth spot whereas Gulf Giants retain their third spot. 

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Talking about the game, the skipper of Gulf Giants (GG), James Vince won the toss and elected to bowl first. Batting first, the MI Emirates batted brilliantly despite wickets kept on falling at regular intervals. The skipper Nicolas Pooran scored a brilliant half-century in just 27 deliveries and was very well supported by Tim David who scored a breathtaking 41 runs off just 15 deliveries including two boundaries and five sixes.

The star with the ball for the Gulf Giants was Chris Jordan who restricted the scoring rate in the later phase of the first innings. Jordan was the pick of bowlers with two wickets to his name whereas Dominic Drakes, James Overton, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman took one wicket each to restrict a total which was once looking at 150 runs.

MI Emirates won the game by 18 runs

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In reply to the total, the opening pair of Jamie Smith and James Vince, despite having a formidable powerplay never went towards the target. The skipper was the star of the show for the giant’s team with a score of 52 runs with seven boundaries and one sixes. Whereas late strikes of 41 runs from 18 deliveries from Overton were not successful for crossing Giants over the line.

It was Afghanistan star Fazalhaq Farooqi, who struck early blows and made sure that the Giants team never got going with the chase. Farooqi ended the game with a bowling figure of 4/25. In addition to this, he was well supported by Trent Boult who took two wickets.