ILT20

Sharjah Warriors' defeat resulted in them being knocked out of the tournament as they finished fifth with seven points. Gulf Giants who recorded three consecutive victories finished on top of the table with 16 points. Dubai Capitals, whose fate depended on the result of this match, now make it to the playoffs with nine points.

Chasing MI Emirates' 164 for 7, Dasun Shanaka and Sikandar Raza scored unbeaten knocks of 58 and 56 runs respectively off 36 deliveries each. Shanaka hit five boundaries and three sixes while Raza scored four boundaries and four sixes. Their unbeaten 122 runs partnership for the fourth wicket in 11.3 overs ensured Dubai Capitals victory with 11 balls to spare.

The Dubai Capitals will take on the MI Emirates in their last league match of the DP World ILT20 at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. The team is currently in fifth place in the points table.

With five wins from nine games, MI Emirates are currently at the third spot with 11 points in their kitty so far, and a win over the Capitals will get them to 13 points, and possibly rise to the second spot, if the Gulf Giants (currently 2nd with 12 points) are beaten by the Desert Vipers in the top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders' winless run continued after they let MI Emirates post 180 for 4 in 20 overs through some poor fielding and unimpressive bowling at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Friday night. Dropping Waseem thrice, they let the high-scoring UAE opener flourish and hit 60 runs off 43 balls with six sixes and one boundary.

"If you are a cricketer, you don't need exposure to playing in India. The love and support of fans and the passion for cricket in India is unmatched. For me, it has been an amazing experience of playing the world's biggest league for seven years. It's an honour for me," Tahir said on the eve of his team's match against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.

Apart from Waseem, Kieron Pollard and Andre Fletcher also scored fifties as MI Emirates posted a whopping 241 for 3 in 20 overs. It was not only the highest score of the tournament but incidentally also the second-highest score in a T20 league at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium after Balkh Legends had piled up 244 for 6 in 20 overs against Kabul Zwanan in the 2018 Afghanistan Premier League.