imgonline-com-ua-resize-7taqpJhpzWb4F2U.jpg

The pain is real. A brilliant fifer in the opening game of the season, but a tough loss at the end. Fazalhaq Farooqi ended the match against the Dubai Capitals with mixed feelings. He came out to speak to the media in the post-match press conference, and spoke about his skills, his bowling plans, the conditions. Excerpts..&nbsp;On his brilliant bowling spellFirstly, I’d like to thank God. I had a good start to the tournament, but sadly we lost the game. We will come back strong. My target isn’t to only take wickets. I look at the wicket first and then look to attack the stumps accordingly. My plan was simple, to bowl as many dot balls as possible. I got success just doing that.&nbsp;On everyone backing Kieron Pollard to finish the game&nbsp;We were hoping for the same. Such is cricket, sometimes people don’t defend even 20 runs, sometimes they defend even six runs. But we will come back.&nbsp;On his bowling plans at the startWhen Akeal Hosein bowled the first over, I asked him if it was swinging, and he said yes. When I bowled the first ball, it swung, and then I just looked to keep it simple. I just looked to swing the ball.&nbsp;Thoughts on the target for MI Emirates at the halfway markI knew it wouldn’t be easy. The wicket wasn’t easy and even good batters in their side couldn’t score runs easily. I knew we could win the game if we played sensibly. Unfortunately, we lost four wickets in the powerplay.&nbsp;On playing in Abu DhabiThe conditions in January in the UAE tend to help swing bowlers. So my focus is just to look for support and back my skills to perform well for my team. &nbsp;

imgonline-com-ua-resize-NUvoTSS2Hy.jpg

“This is cricket…but we will come back strongly”: Farooqi on last-ball loss after brilliant spell

imgonline-com-ua-resize-JyT3On5LJ0z6vIo.jpg

Kieron Pollard couldn’t believe it. He just stood, stunned. MI Emirates, after a tough start, had fought back superbly to the chase under control, before the Capitals pulled it back a bit to leave it at six runs being needed off the final ball to win. Farhan Khan ran in, big Polly swung, hard, over mid-wicket like he usually does, and found the gap as well perfectly. Alas, the elevation wasn’t quite there, with the ball falling just short of the boundary ropes.&nbsp;Sadly, it slips awayIt's a tough loss to take. We really had the game in control with Nicholas Pooran and Pollard batting out there and the equation coming down to 19 runs being needed off 18 balls. Pooran them smashed a boundary off the Gulbadin Naib’s second ball in the 18th over to bring it under a-run-a-ball. But he fell next ball, Alzarri Joseph fell a couple of balls later, Olly Stone bowled a brilliant 19th over where he gave away just one run, leaving Polly too much to get in the final over. He tried, he fought, but it wasn’t to be.&nbsp;Nicky P leads the recovery in Nicky P styleHe walked in with the team in trouble at 17/3. It soon became 22/4. But he counter-attacked. Not only did he stick around, he did it with runs scored at a quick clip with a 40-ball 61. He found good company in Akeal Hosein, who was happy to play second fiddle. Together, they put MI Emirates in control and got the chase on track.&nbsp;Farooqi leads the parade!The match, and indeed the season, were off to a perfect start, with a maiden over bowled by Akeal. Fazalhaq Farooqi then took over, never allowed the Dubai Capitals’ batters to settle, and kept plugging away, ending up with stunning figures of 5/16, while keeping the Capitals down to 133 in their 20 overs.Don’t worry, folks. This is just the start. Remember, in 2024 as well, we lost our first game. Surely you don’t need reminding of what happened after that. While it might be a difficult pill to swallow, let’s quickly move on .. &nbsp;

imgonline-com-ua-resize-ZQRyXxM8MdU9QQ3.jpg

Match 1 | DCvMIE report: INCHES SHORT, LITERALLY!! Oh, a 1-run heartbreak! 

New Project - 2025-01-10T180453.043.jpg

It’s been a year already! We’ve held the trophy in our cabinet with pride, and we are all set to bring it back in 2025. Season three of the ILT20 has arrived and MI Emirates are here to defend the crown.&nbsp;2024 was a dream season. We went on a winning roll, were supremely clinical through the season, and just didn’t stop until we lifted the coveted silverware. Nicholas Pooran and Co. couldn’t be more motivated to repeat the heroics once again. A large part of last year’s core is still here this time along as well, along with some fresh new blood, making this ILT20 a delicious combo.&nbsp;We start off on the road, in Dubai, in the arena where we became Champions, with a repeat clash of last year’s Finale against the Dubai Capitals. There really could be no better way than giving all our fans a moment to rejoice that victory moment all over again, and kick off this year’s campaign in style.&nbsp;What: Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates &nbsp; When: January 11, 2025 | 18:30 GST, 20:00 IST Where: Dubai International Stadium, Dubai&nbsp; What to expect: Runs, runs, and more runs. This is the middle of the season in the UAE and pitches are expected to be fresh and good for stroke-making. We have the firepower. Let’s set the desert on fire, shall we!What they said: “He’s a big blow for us but we wish him the best for South Africa. The opportunity is there for the other players. There is the opportunity for Rohid, Zahoor and the other UAE guys and we hope they can step up,” – Nicholas Pooran on missing Trent Boult this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

New Project - 2025-01-10T180529.280.jpg

ILT20 season 3 | DCvMIE preview: Let’s bring it home, once again! 

3 website.png

A fresh season, a renewed and refreshed side, and our new exciting stripes!&nbsp;The Blue and Gold that the MI Emirates would don for the third season of the ILT20 has been launched, and boy, we cannot stop loving it. It’s the colour and the thread of defending champions. With under a month to go until action kicks off in the desert, this is the perfect Christmas present we needed.&nbsp;Habibi, it’s time to paint Abu Dhabi in the colours of MIE!

2 website.png

Habibi, the MI Emirates 2025 JERSEY is here! 

Principal Partner

Associate Partner

Official Partners

imgonline-com-ua-resize-VGoXXEMKh0O4.jpg

W, W, W, W. Dominance, class, composure, and a million reasons to smile. MI Emirates have been everything we asked for, and more. We’re into the second half of the tournament, and we are on a mission to not lose steam. Much like our buildups for our earlier games, let’s just state it: every game has produced a new hero with everyone playing crucial supporting acts. It’s the hallmark of a team in solid form, and let’s just do everything in our powers to maintain our onfield juggernaut.&nbsp;&nbsp;What we do need to be wary of, is a pretty desperate Desert Vipers side, who after three losses in their four games, would be inspired to turn things around. We are in their den, and Dubai International Cricket Stadium is the only stadium where we haven’t won a game yet. It’s time we correct that as well!This is also the first time these two teams are meeting in this season’s ILT20. The head-to-head record stands at 1-1, with the Desert Vipers having won by seven wickets in the first game of the 2023 season, before MI Emirates bounced back in typical style with a 157-run win, thanks to a 19-ball fifty by Kieron Pollard, and the ever-reliable Muhammad Waseem blasting his way to a 44-ball 86.&nbsp;What: Desert Vipers vs MI EmiratesWhen: January 30, 2024 | 6:30pm local time, 8:00pm ISTWhere: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, DubaiWhat to expect: Dubai has produced runfests, and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t have another one when these two sides square off. If you happen to be in the stands, keep your helmets handy.&nbsp;

Match 6 | DVvMIE Preview: More on the wishlist: Five wins in a row!

By MI Emirates Media

RECENT