Abu Dhabi,
A spectacular knock by Muhammad Waseem whose excellence with the bat scoring a resilient 86 off 61 balls, consigned the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to a crushing 8-wicket defeat despite setting up a formidable total of 188/5 in 20 overs here in the 12th match of the ongoing ILT20 Season 2.
The UAE national team skipper entertained the Sunday spectators in the picturesque Zayed Cricket Stadium with an unbeaten innings studded with eight boundaries and three sixes, helping the MI Emirates chase the target in 19 overs.
The 27-year-old Waseem along with opening batter Kusal Perera set the momentum for the mega run-chase with Perera scoring the fastest 50 of DP World ILT20 Season 2, taking only 22 balls to do so. Their effort in the middle built a solid partnership of 110 in 9.5 overs which was finally broken by David Willey whose short-length bouncer ended Perera’s outing with wicketkeeper Michael Pepper taking a sound catch.
Waseem built on his impressive outing with well-timed boundaries in the following overs. Though they lost Pooran (33 off 19 balls) to Ali Khan in the 17th over, Waseem along with Tim David (10 n.o) showcased composure to help their team sail through to their fourth win this season from five matches.
Today’s effort has put them on top of the points table.
Brief scores:
MI Emirates bt Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 8 wickets.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 188/5 in 20 overs (Andre Russell 46 n.o, Sam Hain 40, Michael Pepper 38, Alishan Sharafu 37; Fazalhaq 3 for 35);
MI Emirates 189/2 in 19 overs (Waseem Muhammad 86 n.o, Kusal Perera 56, Nicholas Pooran 33; David Willey 1 for 37, Ali Khan 1 for 25).
Player of the Match: Muhammad Waseem of MI Emirates
