Player of the Match
Player of the Match

That concludes all the action from us today, folks. Thank you for tuning in and staying with us as always. This is Rashad Mahbub, signing off on behalf of Chandankumar Duorah. Go well!

Player of the Match, Kamindu Mendis: "The pitch was a bit slow, so I wanted to land the ball in the right areas and mix up the pace as well. When Pollard said, 'Be ready,' I was ready. I thought if I kept the ball in good areas, the wicket would help. I just got three wickets. [Hitting six off the last ball] I actually didn't want to do that. I have already apologized to Jonny [laughter]. [Sri Lankan players in ILT20] Pathum Nissanka and Nuwan Thushara are doing really well right now. I hope they'll do a bit more this season. [If you had to bowl to Pathum Nissanka] I have no idea where I would bowl to him! I would have to face him in the middle."

Kieron Pollard: "We needed those points. Of course, we didn't expect 122, but restricting them to as little as possible was the aim. I thought the guys rebounded pretty well. Last game, we bowled well, too, but we didn't bat well. Today was a professional effort from everyone. [Bowling options] We look at our bench; we had Chris Woakes, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Shakib Al Hasan sitting out. We have depth there. It's a headache for us, but as mentioned before, we try our best to put the best XI or XII on the park based on what's needed, and I think the guys understand that getting the two points is the most important thing. I think we're there and thereabouts in terms of talent compared to any competition. But as I said in one of the first interviews we did, names on paper, strong team balance, all these things count for nothing if you don't play good cricket on the day. For us, it is about reminding the guys of what's important, which is to play cricket consistently and play well."

Jason Holder: "We're still trying to figure it out. Obviously, 122 is not enough. Conditions got a lot easier for batting as the dew set in. We just had a few boys getting in and getting out; we didn't get a partnership today. We just have to come and execute. I think that has been our biggest struggle. We haven't been consistent. We started well in the first game with our big total, but since then, we haven't really adjusted to the conditions. Tonight was probably a little bit more in favor of the team bowling first, but it's still sad that we should have probably done a lot better than we did. [Team belief] The belief is there. A couple of things didn't go our way tonight, but that's how cricket is played. We've just got to maintain belief in the dressing room. We only have one day between these next two games, so it's important for us just to regroup and still keep that belief. We need to show that intent. We've set a way to play, and we want to continue to play that game and be consistent. It's just a matter of one or two things clicking, which I have no doubt will happen, and we must keep the belief within the dressing room. [Update on Russell] I am honestly not 100% sure. He was ill and in the hospital. Hopefully, we will see how he pulls up tomorrow and then make a determination for the next game."

9:36 pm It simply wasn't the Knight Riders' day, either with the bat or the ball, and they take a heavy hit to their Net Run Rate. Muhammad Waseem set the tone early, lighting up the chase with three consecutive sixes against Khary Pierre before his aggressive knock ended on 27 runs off 12 balls. Nicholas Pooran looked uncomfortable at the crease and was soon dismissed by Jason Holder. However, Jonny Bairstow was in brilliant touch, hitting three consecutive boundaries in the sixth over and continuing the run fest. The Emirates utilised the Powerplay effectively, reaching 63/2, a stark contrast to the Knight Riders' struggle. Bairstow remained unbeaten on 49 runs, ably supported by Tom Banton's handy knock of 29. The Emirates cruised through the chase without a moment of concern, securing a dominant win. Post-match stuff coming up shortly.

MI Emirates won the match by 7 wickets

13.5
6
Stone to Mendis, SIX, Mendis goes big and finds the fences! Length ball on the pads, picks up the ball comfortably and flicks it away stylishly over the widish backward square leg area. Bairstow stays stranded on 49 runs at the other end, but he gives a big smile and shakes hands with Mendis. Happy faces all around the blue jersey camp!
13.4
0
Stone to Mendis, no run, banged in short pitched ball on the stumps, plays the swivel pull shot and does not connect
13.3
1
Stone to Bairstow, 1 run, three-quarter length ball gets inside the line of the ball and whisks it down to the deep third. 6000 T20 runs for Jonny Bairstow!
13.2
1
Stone to Mendis, 1 run, hard length ball outside off, lofts it over the cover fielder for a single
13.1
1
Stone to Bairstow, 1 run, back of a length ball glanced away to deep backward square leg

Stone returns

END OF OVER:
13 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | MIE: 114/3 (9 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 8.76, RRR: 1.28)

  • Kamindu Mendis3 (4b)
  • Jonny Bairstow47 (36b)
  • Khary Pierre3-0-31-1
  • George Garton2-0-15-0
12.6
0
Pierre to Mendis, no run, good length ball on the stumps, keeps it down on the track
12.5
2
Pierre to Mendis, 2 runs, shortish ball hoicks it away in behind square for a couple of runs
12.4
1
Pierre to Bairstow, 1 run, tossed up a fuller length ball and Bairstow knocks it to long on
12.3
1
Pierre to Mendis, 1 run, good length ball pushes with soft hands and gets off the mark
12.2
0
Pierre to Mendis, no run, back of a length ball pushes with soft hands to the ring fielder

Kamindu Mendis in

12.1
W
Pierre to Banton, OUT, And Pierre strikes! Back of a length ball on middle-off, moves onto the back foot and tries to swing it away, miscues the stroke and skies it high towards the midwicket area. Garton sprints forward, dives in, catches the ball, and despite landing awkwardly and rolling, he still manages to hold on to the catch!

T Banton c Garton b Pierre 29 (31m 20b 2x4 2x6) SR: 145

Pierre returns to bowl

END OF OVER:
12 | 12 Runs | MIE: 110/2 (13 runs required from 48 balls, RR: 9.16, RRR: 1.62)

  • Jonny Bairstow46 (35b)
  • Tom Banton29 (19b)
  • George Garton2-0-15-0
  • Sunil Narine2-0-11-0
11.6
4
Garton to Bairstow, FOUR, lofted over mid-off! Follows the widish fuller length ball and launches it over the infield for a boundary

ILT20 News

MI Emirates 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st33JM BairstowMuhammad Waseem
2nd13JM BairstowN Pooran
3rd64JM BairstowT Banton
4th13JM BairstowPHKD Mendis

International League T20

TeamMWLPTNRR
DV1082160.438
MIE1073140.676
DC1055100.578
ADKR10468-0.559
GG10376-0.31
SW10376-0.815