So very nearly there. Skipper Pollard nearly did what he’d done for fun in the previous season, winning matches from nowhere. Sadly, in the final stages, in trying to getting a little cheeky, leaving us within touching distance. Here’s how the day went.. 

Polly’s fight, Thompson’s finishing flurry

At 72/5 in the 11^th over, with a 82 runs still to get, it looked like MI Emirates were perhaps falling behind. Kieron Pollard, forever the man in the middle-order for a crisis, stepped up in typical style. He was happy to take up a few balls, and then counter-attack. With 34 runs needed off the last two overs, the ‘favourites’ ball was still in MI Emirates’ favour. He spotted a Chris Jordan wide-yorker, walked acrorss, tried to then open his bat face and steer it past the keeper, but ended up finding short third man. 

Jordan Thompson then took over, smoking 24 off the final over – three fours and two sixes – but alas, it was a little too late. 

The spinners’ web was just too sticky

With Akeal Hosein flying out for national duty, it was Waqar Salamkheil to choke up the middle-order with three wickets. Around him, the debutant, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, with his mystery spin, was very economical, 1/18 in his four overs. And Dan Mousely got the big fish in James Vince, who top-scored with 59. 

Jamie Smith takes it away

It was his 26-ball 43 that turned out to be the real difference. Apart from Vince who got off to a good start, none of the other Gulf Giants’ batters were able to get going, falling to our spinners. But Smith’s breezy cameo almost single-handedly lifted them beyond 150, giving their bowlers just enough to bowl at. 

So Dubai continues to be a tough hunting ground for us. But we return home next, with the Dubai Capitals coming over. We’re still at the top of the table, but with our final league game coming up, we’ll go hard in our backyard for momentum, and a spot in the first Qualifier!