Gulf Giants Vs MI Emirates Match Scorecard: Full Scorecard, Batting, Bowling and Match Result

The Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates match scorecard captures an exciting contest in the International League T20 (ILT20) 2025 season. The 26th match was played on January 31, 2025, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. Gulf Giants batted first and posted 173/6 in 20 overs, setting MI Emirates a challenging target of 174 runs.

MI Emirates responded with an impressive chase, reaching 174/5 in 19.1 overs to win by five wickets with five balls remaining. Nicholas Pooran led the successful chase with an unbeaten 58 off 37 balls, while Romario Shepherd provided a quick finish with 23 not out from just nine deliveries.

James Vince was the leading batter for Gulf Giants, scoring 86 runs from 50 balls. However, his innings was not enough to prevent MI Emirates from securing the victory. Aayan Afzal Khan took two wickets for Gulf Giants, while Muhammad Rohid Khan claimed two wickets for MI Emirates.

Gulf Giants Vs MI Emirates Match Summary

The match featured two competitive teams with strong batting line-ups. MI Emirates won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to restrict Gulf Giants to a manageable total.

Gulf Giants began positively, with Gerhard Erasmus contributing 12 runs and James Vince anchoring the innings. Vince played an outstanding knock of 86 from 50 balls, hitting 10 fours and one six. Jordan Cox added 20 runs, while Tom Curran and Shimron Hetmyer made useful contributions.

Gulf Giants finished on 173/6, giving their bowlers a target to defend. MI Emirates needed 174 runs to win, equivalent to a required run rate of 8.70 runs per over.

The chase featured an aggressive start from Muhammad Waseem, who scored 26 from only 10 balls. After a few wickets fell, Pooran took control of the innings and built an important partnership with Bevon Jacobs. Shepherd then accelerated the scoring at the end, helping MI Emirates reach the target in 19.1 overs.

Gulf Giants Batting Scorecard

Gulf Giants delivered a competitive batting performance after being asked to bat first. James Vince played the leading role, combining patience with attacking stroke play to score 86 runs. He struck 10 fours and one six, maintaining a strike rate of 172.00.

Gerhard Erasmus scored 12 from nine deliveries before being dismissed by Akeal Hosein. Vince then built a useful partnership with Jordan Cox, who contributed 20 from 21 balls. Tom Curran added 13, while Shimron Hetmyer scored 15.

Tim David made 10 runs, and Chris Jordan supplied a late burst with 10 not out from four balls. The late contribution helped Gulf Giants finish with 173 runs, although the team lost six wickets.

James Vince’s innings was the defining contribution for Gulf Giants. His 86 runs gave the team a strong foundation, while Chris Jordan’s late hitting added useful runs in the final overs. However, the loss of wickets during the closing stages prevented Gulf Giants from pushing their score much higher.

MI Emirates Bowling Scorecard

MI Emirates used their bowling resources to control the innings and take wickets at important moments. Muhammad Rohid Khan was the most successful bowler, finishing with two wickets for 36 runs in four overs. He dismissed both James Vince and Shimron Hetmyer, limiting Gulf Giants’ ability to accelerate consistently.

Akeal Hosein, Waqar Salamkheil and Alzarri Joseph each claimed one wicket. Fazalhaq Farooqi also took a wicket, although he conceded 52 runs in his four overs.

Waqar Salamkheil delivered an economical spell, conceding just 23 runs in four overs. Akeal Hosein also kept the scoring rate under control. These performances helped MI Emirates prevent Gulf Giants from reaching a substantially higher total.

MI Emirates Batting Scorecard

MI Emirates began the chase with an aggressive approach. Muhammad Waseem scored 26 from just 10 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes. Andre Fletcher contributed 31 from 31 deliveries, giving the team a steady start despite not scoring at the same pace as Waseem.

Tom Banton scored 11, while Kusal Perera was run out for one. The middle-order wickets brought pressure into the chase, but Nicholas Pooran responded with a composed and powerful innings.

Pooran remained unbeaten on 58 from 37 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes. Bevon Jacobs added 18 from 14 balls before being dismissed, and Romario Shepherd provided a decisive finish with 23 not out from nine deliveries.

Pooran’s innings provided the stability MI Emirates needed after losing wickets during the middle overs. Shepherd’s late hitting increased the scoring rate and ensured the team did not need to rely on the final over to complete the chase.

Gulf Giants Bowling Scorecard

Gulf Giants needed regular wickets to defend their target, and Aayan Afzal Khan delivered an excellent spell. He took two wickets for only nine runs in two overs, dismissing Muhammad Waseem and Tom Banton.

Blessing Muzarabani took one wicket and conceded 17 runs in four overs. Chris Jordan also claimed a wicket, but the remaining bowlers struggled to contain the scoring. Daniel Worrall conceded 29 runs in two overs, while Tom Curran gave away 37 runs in three overs.

Aayan Afzal Khan’s spell gave Gulf Giants a chance to turn the match in their favour. However, Pooran’s measured batting and Shepherd’s finishing power overcame the pressure created by the early wickets.

Fall of Wickets: Gulf Giants Vs MI Emirates

The fall of wickets shows how the match developed in both innings. Gulf Giants lost their first wicket at 22 before Vince and Cox built a partnership. Later dismissals slowed the innings, although the team still reached 173.

Gulf Giants Fall of Wickets

The dismissal of Vince at 151 was particularly important. He had scored 86 runs and was the main reason Gulf Giants reached a competitive total. His departure limited the team’s opportunity to build an even stronger finish.

MI Emirates Fall of Wickets

MI Emirates lost four wickets by 71 runs, creating a tense middle phase. Pooran held the innings together, and Shepherd’s partnership with him helped the team cross the finish line at 174/5.

Key Highlights of the Match

The Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates encounter featured several standout performances and turning points.

• James Vince scored 86 runs: His innings of 50 balls was the highest individual score of the match and anchored the Gulf Giants total.
• Nicholas Pooran remained unbeaten on 58: His innings included six fours and three sixes and earned him Player of the Match.
• Muhammad Waseem provided a quick start: He scored 26 from only 10 balls, giving MI Emirates early momentum.
• Aayan Afzal Khan took two wickets: His figures of 2/9 were the most economical bowling performance in the match.
• Romario Shepherd finished strongly: His unbeaten 23 from nine balls helped MI Emirates complete the chase.
• MI Emirates won with five balls remaining: The team reached 174/5 in 19.1 overs to secure a five-wicket victory.

Important Match Statistics

The match statistics highlight the difference between the two innings and the contributions that influenced the result.

Gulf Giants scored at 8.65 runs per over, while MI Emirates maintained a rate of approximately 9.08. That higher scoring rate allowed MI Emirates to reach the target before the end of the 20th over.

Why MI Emirates Won the Match

MI Emirates won because their batters managed the chase effectively despite losing wickets during the middle overs. Muhammad Waseem’s quick start put the bowling side under pressure, while Andre Fletcher contributed a steady 31.

The most important contribution came from Nicholas Pooran. Rather than taking unnecessary risks after wickets fell, he continued scoring boundaries and kept the chase within reach. His unbeaten 58 provided the foundation for the finishing partnership.

Romario Shepherd then changed the tempo with 23 not out from nine balls. His aggressive approach ensured MI Emirates completed the chase with five balls remaining.

Gulf Giants had opportunities to defend the target, particularly when Aayan Afzal Khan removed two batters for only nine runs. However, the bowling attack could not prevent Pooran and Shepherd from scoring quickly in the closing overs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Gulf Giants Vs MI Emirates match?

MI Emirates won the match by five wickets. They chased Gulf Giants’ total of 173/6, finishing at 174/5 in 19.1 overs.

What was the final score of Gulf Giants?

Gulf Giants scored 173 runs for six wickets in 20 overs. James Vince was their leading scorer with 86 runs from 50 balls.

Who was the Player of the Match?

Nicholas Pooran was named Player of the Match for scoring an unbeaten 58 from 37 balls, helping MI Emirates complete the chase.

Who scored the most runs in the match?

James Vince scored the most runs, making 86 from 50 balls for Gulf Giants. His innings included 10 fours and one six.

How many wickets did Aayan Afzal Khan take?

Aayan Afzal Khan took two wickets for nine runs in two overs. He dismissed Muhammad Waseem and Tom Banton during MI Emirates’ chase.

Conclusion

The Gulf Giants Vs MI Emirates Match Scorecard records an exciting five-wicket victory for MI Emirates in ILT20 2025. Gulf Giants posted 173/6, led by James Vince’s impressive 86 runs. MI Emirates responded with a strong chase, reaching 174/5 in 19.1 overs.

Nicholas Pooran’s unbeaten 58 and Romario Shepherd’s quick 23 not out were decisive in the final stages. Although Aayan Afzal Khan’s two wickets briefly put MI Emirates under pressure, the batting side recovered and finished the chase successfully. The match demonstrated the importance of partnerships, composure under pressure, and timely acceleration in T20 cricket.