MIE VS GG QUALIFIER 1

Right then, folks, this is it from our coverage of Qualifier 1! MI Emirates has punched its ticket to the Finals in a stunning fashion! But hold onto your hats because tomorrow's showdown is shaping up to be a thriller! Gulf Giants will collide head-on with the formidable Dubai Capitals in Qualifier 2, and the winner of that clash will meet the MI Emirates in the Finale. Catch all the action starting at 8 pm IST (14:30 GMT). But you can surely join us for the pre-match buzz! Take care, cheers!

Akeal Hosein is the Man of the Match for his fabulous bowling figures. He says that he is happy to contribute to the team's win and the pitch was offering a lot of help. Says that it did not change at all. Adds that he tries to do as much recovery on off days because the games and tournaments come thick and fast. Ends up appreciating his team mates for putting a valiant effort as a group.

Nicholas Pooran, the skipper of MI Emirates says that he is very happy with the performance. Says that they were expected to play the finals and they did well as a team in all the departments. Appreciates Akeal Hosein and says he was brilliant for them with the ball tonight. Adds that he is stepping up in every game almost when he is getting the opportunity. Says that it is nice to see the experienced players contributing and stepping up. Adds that guys like Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard have played so much cricket across the globe and it is a luxury to have them in the side, and they have done tremendously for them this season. Adds that they have three quality spinners in our line-up and they are delivering at the right time together.

James Vince, the skipper of Gulf Giants is up for a quick chat. He says that it was a disappointing performance and the opposition completely outplayed them. Says that they did realize that the pitch would be slow and help spinners. Became tough to get our spinners into the game because of the left-right combination. Also adds that they were sloppy on the field and batted poorly as well. Further adds that they cannot dwell on this loss and move on to tomorrow. Mentions that conditions did not change too much so toss maybe was not a big factor

Earlier in the game, MI Emirates were called to bat first, managing to post a total of 163 on the board thanks to valuable contributions from all their batters. Nicholas Pooran, who journeyed from Australia, showcased brilliance with his 36 runs, while Dwayne Bravo, initially struggling, added 30 crucial runs to the team's tally. Towards the end, Tim David and Kieron Pollard stepped up as expected, forming a formidable partnership and making handy contributions that bolstered the team's total. When it came time to defend their score, MI Emirates' bowlers left no room for the opposition to score freely, particularly benefiting from the spin-friendly conditions. Consequently, MI Emirates emerged victorious by a convincing 45-run margin, securing their place in the season finale in a dominant fashion.

For MI Emirates, it was a comprehensive display across all departments. Akeal Hosein set the tone by claiming James Vince's wicket in the very first over, curtailing any early momentum for the opposition. He followed it up by dismissing Chris Lynn cheaply, preventing any potential counterattack. Waqar Salamkheil contributed with a couple of wickets, while debutant Vijayakanth Viyaskanth shone with an impressive 3-wicket haul, disrupting the opposition's rhythm at crucial junctures. Dwayne Bravo also played his part, snatching a wicket and skillfully using his variations to keep the batters in check. With the pitch offering ample assistance to the spinners, MI Emirates' bowlers capitalized on the conditions expertly, leaving no room for the Giants to stage a comeback. Their disciplined performance ensured that the opposition struggled to gain any foothold in the contest.

MI Emirates unleashed a breathtaking display of cricketing prowess in Qualifier 1, clinching a resounding victory and booking their ticket to the season finale with unrivaled authority.  Chasing a target of 164, Gulf Giants struggled right from the start, failing to find any momentum as they lost skipper James Vince in the opening over. Despite Usman Khan's efforts with 26 runs, the scoring rate remained sluggish. Chris Lynn, brought in as the Super-Sub, failed to make a significant impact. The middle order crumbled under pressure, resulting in a hefty 45-run defeat for James Vince's side. It was a disappointing night overall for the Gulf Giants, but they still have a chance to redeem themselves in Qualifier 2 against the Dubai Capitals, offering them a shot at qualification.

OUT! TAKEN! That's it! We have our first finalists of the ILT20, 2024 edition, and it is the MI Emirates who have convincingly defeated the Gulf Giants by 45 runs. This is a googly on offer on the middle stump line on a length, Daniel Worrall mistimes the slog yet again straight towards the deep mid-wicket fielder where Muhammad Waseem makes no mistake.

DROPPED! A hard chance though. Slower and on a length over middle. Daniel Worrall slaps it straight to the bowler who shells it.

Loops it up on a fuller length, and on off, Zohaib Zubair defends it to the off side to end the over.

In front of the stumps on a fuller length, Daniel Worrall lofts it up with no real timing on it as it falls ahead of long on for a single.

WIDE! Another one sliding down leg. Umpire calls for a Wide again.

Full toss on middle, swept away to deep square leg for a single.

WIDE! A flipper drifting down leg. Wided by the Umpire.

On the stumps on a fuller length, Daniel Worrall hits it hard straight down the ground for a single to the right of long off.

A wrong'un into the batter on a fuller length, Zubair pushes it towards long on for a single.

Slower delivery on middle and leg, Daniel Worrall with a little shimmy ahead hits it straight to long on for a single.