Shakib Al Hasan’s return to the MI Emirates XI after four matches proved an underwhelming one, with the all-rounder unable to influence the game with either bat or ball despite his side securing a comfortable victory.
MI Emirates, led by Kieron Pollard, beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 35 runs in their ILT20 fixture on 20 December in Abu Dhabi. Shakib did not get the chance to bat and finished wicketless in his brief bowling spell.
Batting first, Emirates piled up a strong 187 for 4 from their 20 overs. The top order laid the platform, with all of the first four batters passing 30. Muhammad Waseem scored 37 from 36 balls, Jonny Bairstow struck a rapid 38 off 16, Tom Banton added 38 from 28, while Nicholas Pooran anchored the innings with an unbeaten 40 from 24 deliveries. Pollard provided late momentum, scoring 28 from just 16 balls.
In response, Knight Riders looked well placed at 96 for 1 in the 10th over but lost their way badly thereafter. Regular wickets stalled the chase and they were eventually restricted to 152 for 7.
Shakib, playing his second match of the tournament, bowled two overs for 20 runs without a breakthrough. He was introduced in the third over and was hit for a six off his opening delivery by Brandon McMullen, though he recovered to concede only three more runs in that over. He bowled again at the end of the powerplay, giving away 11 runs, including another six from McMullen, and was not brought back afterwards.
This is Shakib’s first appearance in the UAE-based franchise league. Prior to this match, he had featured only once in the tournament, against Sharjah Warriors, where he scored 16 from 12 balls before being retired out, the first such occurrence in his long professional career.
Zahoor Khan was the standout bowler for MI Emirates, finishing with figures of 3 for 16 from four overs.
The victory was MI Emirates’ fourth win from seven matches in the current ILT20 season.
