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Right then, that is it from this exciting game of cricket. The MI Emirates register yet another victory and stay solid at the top of the points table. The International League T20, 2024 action continues as we have a game set to start at Dubai International Cricket Stadium where Gulf Giants take on Sharjah Warriors in game number 22. All you need to do is switch tabs and join us for more action and live updates on the clash of comebacks. Until then, Cheers!

Nicholas Pooran, the victorious skipper of MI Emirates and the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fiery knock is up for a chat. He says that it is all about the execution. Adds that as batters they try to hit with the wind, and the decision to send Ambati Rayudu ahead of him was about keeping the left-right hand combination. Tells that he enjoys wicket-keeping and it is always good when you take four catches in a game but he cannot really choose the best one. Mentions that it their bowlers used the variations pretty well here and that was a big difference in this game.

Colin Munro, the captain of Desert Vipers says that they just were not clinical enough here. Adds that they did not bowl well and gave away too many runs. Tells that the batters did not do well either and it was a disappointing result. Mentions that they just cannot put together two good performances in consecutive games and that has cost them. Praises Ali Naseer for his knock and says that with a few players leaving, he may need to bowl in the upcoming matches as well. Ends by saying that they have nothing to lose now and will look to play fearless cricket.

Presentation Time..

Earlier in the game, following a couple of early setbacks, Kusal Perera and Ambati Rayudu displayed resilience, steadying the ship and absorbing the pressure before unleashing their batting prowess after the 10th over. Perera crafted a well-made 65, while Rayudu concluded at 44. The real fireworks, however, came from Nicholas Pooran, who blazed through with a stunning 39 off 15 balls, propelling MI Emirates to an impressive total of 188. Mohammad Amir emerged as the standout bowler, claiming two wickets and delivering an economical spell.

On the flip side, the Desert Vipers' batting performance was indeed dismal, particularly during the horror powerplay phase, where they managed to put only 38 runs on the board while losing 5 crucial wickets. Despite Azam Khan's promising start, he too fell victim to the MI Emirates bowling attack. Ali Naseer and Sherfane Rutherford, however, provided a glimmer of resistance by building a partnership of 37 runs before Rutherford's dismissal. Ali Naseer's commendable knock of 63 runs was noteworthy, but unfortunately, it couldn't alter the outcome. Despite a disappointing overall performance, the lower middle order fought hard, reducing the margin of loss to just 30 runs.

MI Emirates made a perfect start to the innings with Akeal Hosein striking early, claiming the wicket of opener Rohan Mustafa on just the second ball. Trent Boult then joined the party, securing the crucial dismissal of Alex Hales in the second over. Fazalhaq Farooqi, entering the attack, wreaked havoc in the middle order, snatching three crucial wickets. The super-sub, Waqar Salamkheil, added to the woes of Desert Vipers by dismissing the in-form Wanindu Hasaranga, putting them firmly on the back foot. A resistant partnership for the 7th wicket was broken by Odean Smith after which it all was just a matter of time. Fazalhaq Farooqi remains the pick of the bowlers for his 3 wickets.

Despite the dramatic collapse in the initial phase, the Desert Vipers have managed to bring the game closer and help their net run rate a bit. MI Emirates have exacted fitting revenge from their last encounter by restricting the Desert Vipers to 158 runs and winning the game by 30 runs to qualify for the playoffs.

A couple of runs to end the innings then! Fazalhaq Farooqi bangs this into the pitch, on middle, slower too, Ali Naseer pulls it off the top edge wide of deep square leg for a brace. MI Emirates win by 30 runs!

Back of a length and on off, Ali Naseer slaps it towards long off but denies the run.

On a length and around of, Mohammad Amir guides it off the outer half of the bat towards third man for a run.

Mohammad Amir walks in to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Fazalhaq Farooqi has four now! He bowls the slowr one, full and on middle, Luke Wood goes through his heave a bit early and gets top edge high in the air to the bowler'e left, Fazalhaq Farooqi calls for it, settles under it and pouches it safely. Can he get a fifer now?

A good yorker, outside off, Ali Naseer jams it out through cover-point for a run.

Fuller and on middle, Luke Wood drills it towards long on for a single.

FOUR! A boundary now! This is short of a length and on middle, Ali Naseer stays back and swats it wide of long on where Muhammad Waseem dives to his left but fails to stop it from going for a boundary. Desert Vipers need six sixes in the last over to win!

SIX! Just over! Trent Boult pitches this one up, on middle, Ali Naseer backs away and lofts it towards the long on fence, Muhammad Waseem there leaps up and gets his hands on it but parries it over for a maximum.

Fuller and on middle, Luke Wood heaves it towards deep mid-wicket for one.