MI Emirates continued to reign supreme in the DP World ILT20 Season 2, registering a resounding 30-run victory against the Desert Vipers at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

The team is now the first to secure the berth in this year’s play-offs.

Completing their sixth victory in eight matches, the MI Emirates asserted themselves with a first innings score of 188/5 buoyed by an elegant knock of 65 runs from Kusal Perera and a late innings assault from Nicholas Pooran (39).

Ambati Rayudu also produced impeccable value for this team with a hard-fought stint that earned 44 runs.

The Desert Vipers run-chase never found momentum, encumbered by the clinical bowling of the MI Emirates, they lost wickets at frequent intervals, including five in the powerplay.

Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi was the pick of the Emirates’ bowling attack with impressive figures of 4/31. His four overs scripted the dismissals of Colin Munro, Adam Hose, Azam Khan and Luke Wood to limit the Desert Vipers to 158/8 in 20 overs

Invited to bat first, MI Emirates began with a lucrative powerplay despite the loss of two wickets. Kusal Perera made his intent crystal clear, scoring 31 off just 18 deliveries in the first six overs.

When Ambati Rayudu joined Kusal Perera, the duo constructed a formidable stand of 75 runs. Serving as the aggressor in the partnership Perera brought up his half century in just 31 deliveries.

In the 16th over, Perera was caught at deep mid-wicket off Wanindu Hasaranga’s delivery. The same over saw Nicholas Pooran stamp his authority from the very first ball, striking Hasaranga for two consecutive sixes to begin his innings.

Meanwhile Rayudu endeavored to break the shackles, but the big hits eluded him. He departed for 44 runs at the hands of Mohd. Amir in the 18th over.

Luke Wood, tasked with bowling the 19th over was bested by Nicholas Pooran, who hammered two sixes and two fours to complete a 22-run over.

Pooran’s exploits were finally halted when a lethal yorker from Matheesha Pathirana broke his middle stump in the final over the innings that only conceded 3 runs.

The MI Emirates, however, managed a strong finish to conclude the innings at 188/5 in 20 overs.

Following the match, the MI Emirates’ top scorer of the day, Kusal Perera said: “I think we got a very good score on the board. We are always looking to make the most of the powerplay.

“I think Rayudu and I did well to set up the foundation and bat till the 15th over, but we did very well in the death over to put up a big score, thanks to Nicholas Pooran.”

Speaking on the crowd support he further added:: “It’s always great to see so much support for our team and it motivates the players as well. Hope to see the same things for the remaining games.”