Doesn’t matter which format, trust Chris Woakes to deliver the early breakthroughs. Defending a slightly under-par score, he got MI Emirates to the perfect start with two quick wickets. But Pathum Nissanka, Moeen Ali and Azmatullah Omarzai rebuilt rather well to get the Gulf Giants home in the chase of 164 with over five overs to spare. Here he is, sharing his thoughts on the game at the post-match press conference. Excerpts.. 

Thoughts on the way the game went 

We didn’t get as many runs as we’d have liked. It was a tricky surface to begin with when we batted, so it was important to get wickets upfront when we bowled. But we didn’t capitalize on that. That was probably the problem. We had them two down early but then we didn’t really capitalize after that. I suppose that is where we just let the game slip and they got away from us on what turned into a good surface when the dew came down a little bit. 

Whether the pitch was tricky to bat on initially  

It was tricky to bat on to begin with. Obviously, we lost a few early wickets which never helps in the powerplay. But the surface wasn’t easy to come in and score straightaway. We had a great partnership between (Kieron) Pollard and (Nicholas) Pooran to get us back into the game. To get us up to 160 from the position we were in was really good. With the surface getting better, it wasn’t going to be enough. 

Difference in the playing conditions compared to last year

Slightly different time of the year, a month earlier which is a bit different. Still a bit warmer than January, when it cools off a bit. Felt like it got a bit wet out there towards the end of the game But in general, coming to different environments as a player, you get used to that. You know a lot of the players anyway. You try to come into the dressing room and bring that group together and gel as quickly as possible. The games come thick and fast. We haven’t had a good performance tonight but the games come thick and fast. You’ve got to try and build quickly as a group. 

On Rohid Bangash’s performance

Really the first proper time I’ve seen him bowl close and personal. He’s an exciting talent, so many coming out of the country, which is scary with the way they are developing. He’s got a future. He’s got quite a bit to learn, but playing with the best in tournaments like this will only be good for him. 

On his personal cricketing future 

I hope so. If people will buy me and I’ll be there. I intend to play for a few more years and hopefully that will be the case.