This was quick. A spirited effort with the ball to bundle the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders for a below par 122 set the tone for the MI Emirates batters to go on a rampage and chase the target down with seven wickets and 43 balls to spare, giving the net run-rate a massive kick-up. 

The Farooqi cleanup act

Romario Shepherd drew first blood with the ball, getting the dangerous Phil Salt for a quickfire 17(9). Fazalhaq Farooqi and Kamindu Mendis then triggered a middle-order collapse post powerplay, before Farooqi came back at the death and blew away the tail to finish with superb match figures of 4/14. 

6, 6, 6 – The Waseem show

In the chase, MIE got six runs in the first over, two in the second. A watchful start you’d think. Khary Pierre came onto bowl. Muhammad Waseem was on strike. 

2.1: SIX

2.2: SIX

2.3: SIX

The tone was set. No messing around. No wasting time. Waseem bhai was in a hurry. 

Bairstow takes charge, seamlessly

After Waseem fell, Jonny Bairstow made sure the run-rate didn’t dip, smashing seven fours on the way to his 38-ball 49. He found good support in Tom Banton and then Kamindu Mendis, who chipped in with useful contributions to make sure MI Emirates got the job done quickly. 

This was just the result we needed after a tough last-ball loss a couple of nights ago. We have another game at home before we go on the road again. Let’s bring it home, Habibi!