3 runs were needed for victory. Shakib Al Hasan seemed to want to end the match with a six. He could not play Ajay Kumar’s slower delivery outside the off-stump properly. The fielder took the catch at mid-off. Before that, Shakib almost ensured the team’s victory by playing a stormy innings.
Shakib’s MI Emirates has made it to the final by defeating Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 7 wickets in the second qualifier of IL T20.
Emirates bowlers laid the foundation for victory by restricting Knight Riders to 120 runs on Friday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Shakib also contributed there. Despite not getting any wickets, the Bangladeshi spinning all-rounder gave away only 20 runs in 4 overs in tight bowling.
He played an innings of 38 runs off 24 balls with 5 fours and a six. Shakib’s 53-ball 82-run partnership with Tom Banton for the third wicket somehow finalized the outcome of the match.
English batsman Banton returned with the team’s victory with an innings of 63 runs off 53 balls with 6 fours and a six. Emirates reached the target with 23 balls in hand.
Shakib won the Man of the Match award. In 469 matches in T20 cricket, he became ‘Man of the Match’ 46 times, moving closer to Kieron Pollard and Glenn Maxwell.
Pollard has been the best 48 times in 732 matches, Maxwell 48 times in 492 matches. Like many T20 records, Chris Gayle is ahead of everyone here. The ‘Universe Boss’ has won the award 60 times after playing 463 matches.
MI Emirates reached the final of this franchise league in the United Arab Emirates for the second time. The champions of the second season will face Desert Vipers in the title fight on Sunday, against whom Shakib lost in the first qualifier.
Emirates did not start well in the run chase. They lost Andre Fletcher in the second over. Another opener, Muhammad Wasim, could not last long either.
Shakib came out to bat after losing 2 wickets for 36 runs in the eighth over. He started by hitting Sunil Narine for a four on the first ball.
Shakib handled the spinners quite well. He hit former Indian spinner Piyush Chawla for two consecutive fours. After hitting Liam Livingstone for a four on a cut shot, he hit a huge six over deep midwicket on the next ball. He hit another four in that over.
Banton reached his fifty in 49 balls by hitting Jason Holder for four consecutive fours in the same over. Shakib also scored the winning run after his dismissal.
This is Shakib’s first time playing in this tournament. His highest innings, batting in three previous matches, was 17 not out. He was the man-of-the-match that day with 2 wickets.
