Dubai : MI Emirates’s run riot crafted by their skipper Nicholas Pooran and Andre Fletcher’s half centuries, which produced the highest total this season, blew away Dubai Capitals by 45 runs to emerge as the new champions of the DP World ILT20 Season 2.
In front of a packed Dubai International Stadium, Pooran scored a breezy unbeaten captain’s knock of 57 runs off 27 balls studded with six sixes and two boundaries. He was backed by Fletcher’s 53 off 37 balls, featuring four sixes and three boundaries.
Openers Muhammad Waseem and his partner Kusal Perera contributed aggressively, with Waseem scoring 43 off 24 balls, including three boundaries and three sixes, and Perera adding 38 off 26 balls, with six boundaries, leading to a 77-run opening partnership and helping MI Emirates set a record score of 208 for 3 in 20 overs.
In reply, Capitals could muster only 163 for 7 in 20 overs with Trent Boult and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth bagging two wicket each.
MI Emirates received the winners’ prize of a whopping $700,000 (USD) while the runners-up received $300,000 (USD).
Brief scores:
MI Emirates bt Dubai Capitals by 45 runs.
MI Emirates 208 for 3 in 20 overs (Muhammad Waseem 43, Kusal Perera 38, Andre Fletcher 53, Nicholas Pooran 57n.o)
Dubai Capitals 163 for 7 in 20 overs (Tom Banton 35, Sam Billings 40, Jason Holder 24, Trent Boult 2 for 20, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth 2 for 24)
Player of the Match: Nicholas Pooran.