In a display of tactical mastery and individual brilliance, MI Emirates extended their winning streak in the DP World ILT20 Season 4 with a calculated four-wicket triumph over league leaders Desert Vipers at Dubai International Stadium. The Sunday night encounter saw the Emirates side successfully chase down a modest target of 125 with 15 deliveries remaining, largely due to Shakib Al Hasan’s exceptional all-round performance that earned him Player of the Match honors.
The match unfolded on a spinner-friendly surface that challenged batsmen throughout both innings. Desert Vipers, despite having already secured tournament qualification, struggled to build momentum after being put into bat. Their innings never gained substantial traction, culminating at 124/9 from their allotted 20 overs. English batsman Dan Lawrence provided the backbone of their effort with a determined 35 from 34 deliveries, though boundaries proved scarce against disciplined bowling.
MI Emirates’ bowling unit executed their plans with precision, particularly through the middle overs. Shakib Al Hasan spearheaded the attack with remarkable figures of 2/14 from his four overs, including the crucial wickets of Fakhar Zaman and Sam Curran. His spell effectively stifled the Vipers’ scoring rate, while Zahoor Khan’s death bowling yielded two wickets for just 17 runs, preventing any late acceleration.
The chase, though seemingly straightforward, encountered early complications as MI Emirates stumbled to 35/2 during the powerplay. David Payne and Lockie Ferguson struck early blows, removing Jonny Bairstow and Muhammad Waseem respectively. The middle overs saw continued pressure from the Vipers’ attack, with additional wickets falling at regular intervals.
The turning point arrived when veteran all-rounder Kieron Pollard unleashed his power-hitting prowess, smashing 26 from just 15 balls including two massive sixes in the 15th over. Though Pollard fell before seeing the team through, Shakib Al Hasan provided the perfect foil with an unbeaten 17 from 25 deliveries, demonstrating remarkable composure to guide his team across the finish line.
Post-match reflections highlighted the challenging conditions and strategic approaches. Shakib emphasized the importance of consistent bowling on the favorable surface and his role in stabilizing the chase amidst the fall of wickets. Desert Vipers’ stand-in captain Sam Curran acknowledged the difficult batting conditions while praising his team’s bowling effort and explaining their decision to rotate players given their secured qualification status.