Muhammad Waseem scored a resounding 89 off 62 balls on Sunday in the ILT20 match against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, and set MI Emirates up for a crushing 8-wicket win.

The UAE national team skipper entertained the Sunday spectators in the picturesque Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi with an unbeaten innings studded with eight boundaries and three sixes, helping the MI Emirates chase the target of 189 in 19 overs.

The 27-year-old Waseem along with opening batter Kusal Perera set the momentum for the mega run-chase with Perera scoring the fastest 50 of DP World ILT20 Season 2, taking only 22 balls to do so.

Their effort in the middle built a solid partnership of 110 in 9.5 overs which was finally broken by David Willey whose short-length bouncer ended Perera’s outing with wicketkeeper Michael Pepper taking a sound catch. Perera had scored 54 off 26 balls.

Though Perera’s dismissal was a setback, Waseem continued to power through making his intentions clear in the next over scoring a boundary off Marchant De Lange and a six, adding 11 runs in that over.

The run rate continued to surge at 10.00 per over with captain Nicholas Pooran and Waseem breaking no sweat in steering the innings

Waseem built on his impressive outing with well-timed boundaries in the following overs.

Though they lost Pooran (33 off 19 balls) to Ali Khan in the 17th over, Waseem along with Tim David (10 n.o) showcased composure to help their team sail through to their fourth win this season from five matches.

Sunday’s effort has put them on top of the points table.

MI Emirates captain Nicholas Pooran said after the match: “It was a good batting pitch. We had enough info on the pitch, and knew a total around 180 would be good to chase.

“It is tough to contain batters like Russell who added 9 more to what we had in mind. But I am happy that our bowlers put them under some pressure,”

Muhammad Waseem, who dedicated the player of the match award to his son said: “This is my second half century this season and I also hold the green belt; it feels quite special to be the leading run-getter of season 2.

“I am playing my natural game, and also getting to learn a lot from our coaches and senior players. The team is in good form, everyone is contributing and hope we will go on with the same momentum for the rest of the tournament.”

Sharjah Warriors vs Desert Vipers

Sharjah Warriors skipper, Tom-Kohler Cadmore, guided his team to a hard fought seven-run win over Desert Vipers in the second match of the day on Sunday, which was held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Through an aggressive 68 off 34 balls studded with eight sixes and two boundaries, Cadmore notched up a 101 runs partnership in 53 balls. He helped take his team to a total of 174 for 7 in 20 overs.

The Sunday crowd of nearly 13,000 were in for a great treat when Vipers tried to chase the target through Alex Hales’s 61 off 40 balls with five sixes and three boundaries and Azam Khan’s fighting 35 off 22 balls. Together, the pair put 52 runs in 33 balls for the fifth wicket but failed to carry their team to victory.

So close was the fight that Vipers needed only 22 runs to win off the last 12 balls, but failed to reach the target in the final minutes of the game.

Monday’s match

Monday, January 29, will see Sharjah Warriors take on Dubai Capitals at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

The match will start at 7pm and will be broadcast live on Ariana Television.

Fans across Afghanistan can however tune in at 6:30 pm to watch the pre-match show.