The Gulf Giants opened their DP World ILT20 Season 4 campaign in emphatic fashion, cruising to a six-wicket victory over MI Emirates to end a six-match losing run at the Dubai International Stadium. A blistering 81 off 42 balls from Pathum Nissanka and a powerful all-round outing from Azmatullah Omarzai set the tone for a clinical performance.

Despite a 78-run stand between Nicholas Pooran (46 off 39) and Kieron Pollard (50 off 33), MI Emirates struggled to build momentum. Omarzai and Nuwan Thushara struck early and often, each taking two wickets as the Emirates’ batters laboured. Four of the five MI bowlers later conceded more than 10 runs an over during the chase.

Nissanka stands tall, Omarzai finishes the job

Chasing 164, Chris Woakes briefly threatened to derail the Giants’ start with the wickets of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (6) and Gerhard Erasmus (1). But Nissanka and Moeen Ali (26 off 21) steadied the reply, guiding the side to 67 before Moeen was run out.

After a measured start, Nissanka accelerated superbly, reaching fifty in 30 balls with three fours and two sixes. The chase turned decisively in the Giants’ favour when Omarzai (39 off 16) launched a ruthless assault on Rashid Khan, smashing four and three sixes in a 23-run over.

Nissanka continued the onslaught with three boundaries and a six off Woakes before falling in the 15th over, but Omarzai saw the Giants home comfortably in 14.4 overs.

Early blows derail MI Emirates

Put in to bat, MI Emirates slumped to 36/3 inside the powerplay. Thushara removed Mohammed Waseem (1) and Jonny Bairstow (11), both caught and bowled, while Omarzai castled Tom Banton (6) in the third over.

Pooran and Tajinder Singh (15) attempted to stabilise the innings with a 27-run partnership, but Moeen Ali’s clever spin accounted for Singh at 58/4.

Pollard injected life into the innings in the 13th over, hammering three sixes off Tabraiz Shamsi. Pooran then joined the counterattack with a 14-run burst off Haider Razzaq as the pair added 50 off 36 balls. Pooran fell attempting another big hit in the 18th over, and Pollard followed in the final over to Omarzai. Cameos from Romario Shepherd (18 off 6) and Rashid Khan (6 off 1) dragged MI Emirates to 163/6.

Reaction

Moeen Ali, Gulf Giants stand-in captain:
“Great performance. The toss was huge. We bowled very well in the first 10 overs. They have three players who can take it away, and we held them back nicely. Nissanka and Omarzai were incredible. Nissanka is one of the best in the world, very calm, doesn’t say much, but packs a punch. Omarzai gave us the momentum by taking on Rashid Khan.”

Kieron Pollard, MI Emirates captain:
“Losing three wickets in the powerplay hurt us. The ball was moving around in the first 10 overs, and we couldn’t finish as well as we wanted. We just need to be better with our execution.”

Brief Scores

Gulf Giants beat MI Emirates by six wickets

MI Emirates 163/6 (20 overs):
Kieron Pollard 50, Nicholas Pooran 46, Romario Shepherd 18;
Nuwan Thushara 2–41, Azmatullah Omarzai 2–32

Gulf Giants 164/4 (14.4 overs):
Pathum Nissanka 81, Azmatullah Omarzai 39, Moeen Ali 26;
Chris Woakes 2–49, AM Ghazanfar 1–18.