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- Nicholas Pooran scores a brisk half century and Fazalhaq Farooqui shines with 4 for 25 for MI Emirates
ABU DHABI: Nicholas Pooran and Tim David helped the MI Emirates convert a lukewarm start into a comfortable 18-run victory against reigning champions the Gulf Giants in the fourth match of the ongoing DP World ILT20 at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Moving at a run-a-ball for his first 17 deliveries, Pooran smashed three fours and four sixes to score 51 runs in 18 deliveries. David hammered 41 runs in the death overs to set the Gulf Giants a formidable target of 180 runs to win.
In response, the Gulf Giants’ run chase began with a promising half century by James Vince. James Overton’s 41 off 18 balls studded with five sixes gave his team a much-needed injection, but a clinical performance by the MI Emirates’ bowling unit led by Fazalhaq Farooqi, restricted the Giants to 161 for nine. Farooqi was the pick of the bowling with figures of four for 25.
Pooran said: “We were ready with the result, and happy that the guys responded to the challenge. With wickets in hand, you can always go big in the last five to six overs.”
David, who was named Player of the Match, said: “It is nice to make any contribution for the side. The boys laid the platform, and I just took it on. It’s about finding a method that is going to work for you in that game, take that risk and see what happens.”
Vince, who is the skipper of the Gulf Giants, conceded that his side could have performed better.
“We never quite got ahead in the game, their finish with the bat was superb. I think we got bogged down before I got out and that was a key moment in the game. We will have a quick debrief ahead of the next game and see where we can improve,” he said.