Match Center

Right then, that is it from this one-sided game where MI Emirates absolutely destroyed the hosts, and Sharjah Warriors will need to wait longer for their first win at their home ground. However, the action continues in the ILT20 as we have a double-header lined up on 27th January, Saturday. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will take on Desert Vipers in the first match which will start at 4 pm IST (10.30 am GMT). The second match will see Gulf Giants go up against Dubai Capitals and that game will begin at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT), but as you know, you can join us early for all the build-up to both matches. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Akeal Hosein is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his scintillating bowling performance. He says that it looked patchy and thought that the deliveries would clip. Adds that the fresh ball is good for swing and it was all about execution. Mentions that it was about what was working for him during the later stages of the match and went with the regular arm ball. Reckons that the hat-trick call was very very close and he would be delighted to have one.

Nicholas Pooran, the victorious skipper of MI Emirates says that losing the toss was a blessing in disguise. Adds that Andre Fletcher and Kusal Perera got them to a good start but unfortunately the former got out and the latter got in a mix-up with him. Tells that they wanted to finish well and get somewhere around 170 and to get 180 was good. Mentions that it is not a tactical move as Akeal Hosein has bowled the first over in the last three games and he has been providing the breakthroughs upfront while the others bowled and also grabbed their chances which is good for the team. Says that they are having a good time in the tournament as the batters are doing good and the bowlers are backing them. Ends by saying that they will look to go strength to strength and keep the egos aside in the dressing room and keep this momentum.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore, the captain of Sharjah Warriors says that he doesn't regret his decision to bowl first and they will have to learn to use the powerplay to the fullest. Adds that the bowlers bowled really well and they were comfortable with the chase. Mentions that it was just a bad day for his team. Feels like they should not lose wickets in the Powerplay and like nothing is needed to change and says that they will come out stronger next time.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, MI Emirates posted a good total courtesy of good knocks from Kusal Perera and Andre Fletcher at the top while Tim David and Nicholas Pooran made decent contributions towards the end. Muhammad Jawadullah was the best bowler for Sharjah Warriors with three wickets while Chris Woakes, Daniel Sams, and Maheesh Theekshana chipped in with one each. While chasing, not only their top order, but their whole batting collapsed as they got nowhere near the target and the less we say about that performance the better. They will want o erase this from their memories and come back stronger in the next one.

MI Emirates, on the other hand, were excellent with the new ball. Akeal Hosein set the tone with a big wicket in the first over while Trent Boult followed it up with another in the next. Boult added another to his tally and Fazalhaq Farooqi also got one and all of this happened within the Powerplay. Hosein was brilliant and added three more in the 8th over, almost getting a hat-trick, but only to be denied by technology. That completely changed the game and the visitors took full control of the game. Dwayne Bravo got one wicket while Waqar Salamkheil wrapped things up with a couple to keep his side on top of the table.

Sharjah Warriors needed a good start, but it was not the case as they lost their leading run-scorer, Johnson Charles in the very first over. The skipper, Tom Kohler-Cadmore went back for a golden duck too. Martin Guptill and Niroshan Dickwella played a few lusty blows to take some pressure off, but both of them got dismissed in consecutive overs as they were four down inside the Powerplay. The middle order just had no answers to the bowling of Akeal Hosein and fell like nine pins. Four of the last five batters were dismissed for a duck as they lost their last five wickets for just 18 runs falling to an embarrassing defeat.

A demolition job by MI Emirates! A fantastic performance to defend this total led by a dream spell by Akeal Hosein. Sharjah Warriors' winless record at home continues with a very disappointing batting display here as this is the lowest-ever total in the history of ILT20. MI Emirates gets their third win on the trot, this one by 106 runs, and also improves their NRR massively, which could become important later in the season.

OUT! CASTLED! Waqar Salamkheil puts the final nail in the coffin for Sharjah Warriors! Tossed up outside off. Muhammad Jawadullah goes down on one knee looking to heave it on the off side. The ball turned away onto the stumps from under his bat and crashed into middle. That seals the match in favor of MI Emirates and the misery for Sharjah Warriors at their home venue continues. The MI Emirates, left arm bowlers continue to dominate with the ball. Today, 9 out of the 10 wickets went in the bag of left arm bowlers.

Full and angling away outside off. Maheesh Theekshana knock it back towards the bowler.

Full and on middle. Maheesh Theekshana lofts it just enough to clear mid off. They get a couple of runs as Trent Boult manages to stop the ball from reaching the fence.

Short and over middle. Maheesh Theekshana creates some room but misses out as he tries to cut it away.

FOUR! Well, Hit! A juicy full toss and Maheesh Theekshana doesn't miss out. He drives it through the gap at covers and the ball races away to the fence for four runs.

On the good length outside off. Maheesh Theekshana tries to cut it but gets beaten for pace.

On the good length outside off. Maheesh Theekshana swings and misses.

Muhammad Jawadullah is the last man in.