The stakes were sky-high at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on January 2, 2026, as the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) squared off against MI Emirates (MIE) in Qualifier 2 of the International League T20 (ILT20). With a spot in the grand finale against the Desert Vipers on the line, Kieron Pollard’s MI Emirates delivered a masterclass in bowling and composed batting to secure a seven-wicket victory.
The Toss and Early Breakthroughs
Winning the toss proved to be a masterstroke for MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard, who elected to bowl first on a Sharjah surface that offered plenty for the disciplined bowler. The Knight Riders’ innings never truly found its rhythm, as they were stifled by a relentless MI bowling attack.
The trouble started early for ADKR when Michael-Kyle Pepper was run out for just 1 in the second over. Shortly after, Brandon McMullen (13) fell LBW to Muhammad Rohid Khan, leaving the Knight Riders reeling at 17/2. While veteran opener Alex Hales attempted to anchor the innings, his 29 off 36 balls was uncharacteristically slow, reflecting the pressure applied by the Emirates’ bowlers.
The Knight Riders’ Struggle
As the innings progressed, ADKR found it difficult to break the shackles. High-profile stars like Liam Livingstone (4) and Andre Russell (3) failed to ignite, falling cheaply to Rohid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi respectively. When Sunil Narine and Jason Holder also departed for single digits, the Knight Riders were staring at a collapse at 104/7.
The only saving grace for Abu Dhabi was a resilient, unbeaten half-century from Alishan Sharafu. Sharafu played a lone hand, scoring 50* off 40 deliveries, including two boundaries and three towering sixes. His late-innings flourish pushed the total to 120/8 in their allotted 20 overs—a total that felt 20-30 runs short of a competitive par.
Key Bowling Figures for MI Emirates:
- Allah Ghazanfar: 4-0-24-3
- Muhammad Rohid Khan: 4-0-19-2
- Fazalhaq Farooqi: 4-0-30-2
Also Read: Knight Riders Charge into Qualifier 2: ADKR Secure Clinical 50-Run Win Over Dubai Capitals
MIE’s Composed Chase
Chasing a modest target of 121, MI Emirates suffered an early hiccup when Andre Fletcher (5) was caught off the bowling of Ajay Kumar in the second over. Muhammad Waseem added 10 before being trapped LBW by Sunil Narine, leaving MIE at 36/2 in the 8th over.
However, any hopes of an ADKR comeback were quickly extinguished by a clinical partnership between Tom Banton and Shakib Al Hasan. Banton was the aggressor and the anchor combined, finishing with a superb 64 off 53 balls*, laced with seven fours and a six. Shakib Al Hasan provided the perfect support, playing a brisk cameo of 38 off 24 balls before falling to Ajay Kumar with the finish line in sight.
The Emirates eventually reached the target in just 16.1 overs, finishing at 122/3 and winning with 23 balls to spare.
Full Scorecard Summary
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: 120/8 (20 Overs)
- Alishan Sharafu: 50* (40)
- Alex Hales: 29 (36)
- Allah Ghazanfar: 3/24 (4)
- Muhammad Rohid Khan: 2/19 (4)
MI Emirates: 122/3 (16.1 Overs)
- Tom Banton: 64* (53)
- Shakib Al Hasan: 38 (24)
- Ajay Kumar: 2/13 (3)
- Sunil Narine: 1/20 (4)
Conclusion: Road to the Final
The victory was a testament to MI Emirates’ depth and tactical superiority. Their bowlers set the tone by never allowing the Knight Riders’ power hitters to settle, and their top order executed the chase with professional ease. Shakib Al Hasan was rightfully named the Player of the Match for his all-round influence and crucial middle-order contribution.
With this dominant 7-wicket win, MI Emirates have set up a mouth-watering final against the Desert Vipers. For the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, it marks the end of a hard-fought campaign, leaving them to reflect on a batting performance that simply lacked the firepower required for a knockout stage.
Also Read: Desert Vipers Crowned Champions: A Masterclass in Dubai to Clinch Maiden ILT20 Title