The Gulf Giants pulled off a nail-biting two-wicket win over MI Emirates at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, in Season 3 of the DP World ILT20. The Giants displayed immense resilience, overcoming a precarious position to clinch victory off the final delivery of the match. With this win, the Gulf Giants moved up to fifth place on the points table.
After a shaky start, Tom Alsop and Gerhard Erasmus steadied the Giants’ innings with a vital half-century stand, adding 65 runs for the third wicket. However, their dismissals triggered a collapse, with the team losing four wickets in quick succession, shifting the momentum in MI Emirates’ favor.
A crucial seventh-wicket partnership between Tom Curran and Mark Adair reignited hopes for the Giants, with the pair finding key boundaries to bring the target within reach. With 17 runs needed from the last two overs, Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed Adair for 15, leaving the Giants in a tense situation.
It was Aayan Khan’s calm under pressure, scoring an unbeaten 11 off six balls, that guided the Giants to a thrilling victory on the very last ball. Speaking after the match, Adair said, “It was just about getting the basics right. Tom Curran’s experience played a big role in the crucial moments.”
MI Emirates’ Struggle to Capitalize
The MI Emirates top order faltered early, reduced to 57 for four. Tom Banton (56) and Kieron Pollard (34) added much-needed stability before late cameos from Akeal Hosein (20 not out) and Romario Shepherd (8 not out) lifted the total to a competitive 151/6. Banton’s half-century also earned him the Green Belt for the tournament’s highest run-scorer.
MI Emirates captain Nicholas Pooran reflected on the loss, saying, “It was a tough one today. We weren’t disciplined enough and paid the price as a team.”
Brief Scores:
- MI Emirates: 151/6 in 20 overs (Tom Banton 56, Kieron Pollard 34; Daniel Worrall 2/19, Mark Adair 1/24, Blessing Muzarabani 1/16)
- Gulf Giants: 152/8 in 20 overs (Gerhard Erasmus 37, Tom Alsop 32, Tom Curran 16; Fazalhaq Farooqi 3/34, Muhammad Rohid Khan 2/15)
Player of the Match: Mark Adair.
