International League T20: MI Emirates’ continued their impressive run in the ongoing edition of the competition, brushing aside Dubai Capitals by 8 wickets in dominant display. It was their seventh win in 10 matches, a result that has allowed them to seal the second position in the league stage.
MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard led from the front in the run chase, scoring 30 runs in a single over of Waqar Salamkheil who has been the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. It all happened in the 15th over of the innings. MI Emirates needed 40 runs off the last six overs. They had 8 wickets remaining but it still felt like that match would go deep.
However, Pollard was in no mood to let the match go deep. Instead, he smashed a six off the very first ball to make his intentions clear. He then found a boundary and subsequently managed to retain strike with a couple. The West Indian T20 legend then scored a hat-trick of sixes to spoil the figures of Salamkheil who had only scored 13 runs in the over until then.
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International League T20 Points Table
A look at the ILT20 points table confirms that it is the Desert Vipers who are sitting at the top of the points table with 8 wins from 10 matches. MI Emirates are second with 7 wins from 10 games. Dubai Capitals are third with 5 victories from 10 fixtures.
Gulf Giants and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are the two teams with 3 wins from 9 matches but a superior net run rate (NRR) keeps Giants up Knight Riders. Sharjah Warriors are placed at the bottom of the 6-team table with 3 wins from 10 matches.
Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates to play Qualifier 1
With the top two spots sealed, it is confirmed that the Desert Vipers will be taking on the MI Emirates in Qualifier 1 on December 30. Dubai Capitals have also secured a place for themselves in the Eliminator.
However, their opponent is still not confirmed with the match scheduled on January 1. The team that loses the Qualifier and the team that wins the Eliminator will play the Qualifier 2 on January 2 with the final scheduled on January 4.