MI Emirates go second to boost ILT20 play-off hopes

Franchise Cricket

MI Emirates boosted their International League T20 play-off chances and dealt a blow to Abu Dhabi Knight Riders with a dominant 35-run win.

After being put into bat, Emirates posted 187-4, with former West Indies wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran hitting an unbeaten 40 off 24 balls.

England batters Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton each made 38 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Chasing 188 to win, the Knight Riders were 96-1 in the 10th over before former England opener Alex Hales was dismissed for 40 off 27.

That sparked a collapse to 128-7, with the hosts going 53 balls without a boundary at one stage.

Despite Scotland's Brandon McMullen hitting an unbeaten 64 off 49, the Knight Riders could only reach 152-7, with Zahoor Khan taking

The result moves MI Emirates up to second on eight points, six points behind already-qualified leaders Desert Vipers.

The Knight Riders are fifth, with the top four sides reaching the play-offs. They are level on points with Dubai Capitals and Gulf Giants in third and fourth respectively but have played a game more and have an inferior net run-rate.

Vipers beat bottom-placed Sharjah Warriorz by four wickets later on Saturday in Dubai after bowling the Warriorz out for just 90.