Shakib Al Hasan played a key role in MI Emirates’ four-wicket win, delivering a decisive performance that helped his team defeat league leaders Desert Vipers and strengthen their standing.
Shakib Al Hasan guides MI Emirates to four-wicket victory against table-leading Desert Vipers
MI Emirates’ Shakib Al Hasan celebrates after dismissing a batter during Match 24 of the DP World ILT20 against the Desert Vipers at Dubai International Stadium. Photo: Supplied
MI Emirates extended their impressive momentum in DP World ILT20 Season 4 with a calm four-wicket triumph over league leaders Desert Vipers on Sunday night, sealing their third straight victory at the Dubai International Stadium.
A controlled bowling effort laid the foundation as MI Emirates limited the Vipers to a below-par score, before showing composure during a tense run chase. Experienced campaigners Kieron Pollard and Shakib Al Hasan guided the side to the finish, absorbing pressure at crucial moments.
Desert Vipers posted 124, built largely around a determined 35 from 34 deliveries by Dan Lawrence. Shakib starred with the ball, claiming figures of two for 14 to stall the Vipers’ progress, while Zahoor Khan’s precise bowling at the death prevented any late surge, keeping the target within reach.
In response, MI Emirates lost early momentum during the powerplay and found scoring difficult through the middle phase, before Pollard’s brisk 26 from 15 deliveries turned the tide emphatically. After his exit, Shakib remained composed, sealing the chase with the decisive boundary to secure a four-wicket victory with 15 deliveries remaining.
The Vipers kept MI Emirates under pressure at the start, restricting them to a cautious powerplay. David Payne made the early breakthrough by dismissing Jonny Bairstow for 5 off 5 balls, while Lockie Ferguson followed up by removing Muhammad Waseem, who scored 18 from 13. MI Emirates closed the powerplay at 35 for 2.
Pursuing a target of 125, MI Emirates found themselves under immediate pressure. David Payne struck early by removing Jonny Bairstow for 5 from five deliveries, while Lockie Ferguson dismissed Muhammad Waseem, who made 18 off 13, leaving the batting side on 35 for 2 at the end of the powerplay. Progress remained slow through the middle overs as Desert Vipers’ bowlers kept things tight and struck at regular intervals.
Nicholas Pooran attempted to shift momentum with two sixes during his 17 off 17 balls before Dan Lawrence trapped him lbw. Tom Banton followed soon after, bowled by a sharp Qais Ahmad delivery after scoring 10 from 10 balls. With the match delicately balanced, Kieron Pollard swung the contest MI Emirates’ way, hammering Qais for two huge sixes in the 15th over.
Pollard’s rapid 26 from 15 balls transformed the chase. Although Matiullah Khan eventually removed him, Shakib Al Hasan remained composed at the other end. The seasoned all-rounder guided the innings with a measured unbeaten 17 off 25 deliveries before striking the winning boundary off Matiullah, completing the chase at 124 for 6 in 17.3 overs.
Earlier, Desert Vipers struggled to gain momentum in the powerplay as Chris Woakes delivered an impressive opening spell, giving away only 15 runs across three overs. Allah Ghazanfar claimed an important wicket by dismissing Max Holden, who scored 20 off 18 balls. Fakhar Zaman contributed 13 from 13, but a lack of boundaries meant the Vipers reached just 35 for 1 after six overs.
MI Emirates tightened the screws in the middle phase, with Shakib Al Hasan striking twice in an economical spell to remove Zaman and Sam Curran, conceding only eight runs in two overs. Arab Gul added further pressure by dismissing Hasan Nawaz for 13 off 19, leaving the Vipers at 54 for 4 halfway through their innings after losing three wickets in quick succession.
Dan Lawrence and Jason Roy attempted to rebuild with a cautious partnership of 42 from 40 balls, though boundaries remained rare. Shakib completed an outstanding spell that kept the scoring in check, while Zahoor Khan sealed the innings with an excellent final over, ending with figures of two for 17. Regular wickets at the death ensured the Vipers were restricted, setting MI Emirates a modest target of 125.
Reflecting on his performance, player of the match Shakib Al Hasan said the surface assisted spinners and emphasised the importance of consistent accuracy. He added that batting was equally challenging on the slow pitch and that he was pleased to play an anchoring role to guide the chase.
Desert Vipers’ stand-in captain Sam Curran described the contest as another low-scoring affair on a demanding surface. He noted that facing MI Emirates’ varied spin attack proved difficult, praised his bowlers’ effort, and explained that squad rotation was necessary with qualification already secured, highlighting the importance of managing player workloads.
