ILT20 2023: Twitter reacts as Abu Dhabi Knight Riders suffer their eighth defeat

MI Emirates registered a thrilling 18-run win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the 26th match of the International League T20 2023 (ILT20) on Friday (February 3). MI Emirates posted a big total of 180/4 while batting first with Muhammad Waseem top-scoring with 60 runs off 43 balls and captain, Kieron Pollard, smashing 43 runs off just 17 deliveries. Thereafter, Dwayne Bravo took three wickets to bowl out the Knight Riders on just 162 runs to secure a play-off qualification.

Sunil Narine won the toss and decided to field first at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi with Connor Esterhuizen, Sabir Ali, and Marchant de Lange coming into the playing XI. MI Emirates also made three changes to their playing XI with Lorcan Tucker, Dan Musley, and Zahoor Khan coming in.

MI Emirates started well with Waseem and Tucker putting an 87-run stand for the second wicket. Tucker scored 33 off 23 before getting retired out due to injury. Waseem also left off the pitch on the next ball in the 16th over as the Knight Riders managed to control the run rate. 

But captain Kieron Pollard smashed 43 off 17 with the help of four fours and three sixes to guide MI Emirates to a big total. Narine, Sabir, and de Lange took a wicket each for the Knight Riders but Andre Russell, Matiullah and Akeal Hosein struggled with costly spells.

While defending a big total, star Kiwi pacer Trent Boult dismissed Paul Stirling on the innings' second delivery to give MI Emirates a promising start. Veteran South African spinner Imran Tahir put Emirates in driving seat with Brandon King and Charith Asalanka's wickets. Russell put the Knight Riders alive in the game with 42 off 22 knock but didn't get much support from his teammates.

Dwayne Bravo finished the Knight Riders' innings on just 162 runs in 19.2 overs with three wickets. With this win, MI Emirates secured a play-off qualification with a game in hand while Abu Dhabi Knight Riders remain at the bottom of the table with one point.

Here is how Twitter is reacting to MI Emirates' win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders:

ICYMI: 26 off the over!@KieronPollard55 absolutely SMASHED it in the @MIEmirates
innings!pic.twitter.com/Hj3RTRA2TW

— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) February 3, 2023

Waseem doesn't seem to stop AT ALL!

5️⃣0️⃣ up for the ⭐ player. #DPWorldILT20 #ALeagueApart #MIEvADKR pic.twitter.com/cccpVHYUjP

— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) February 3, 2023

2 overs 👉 2 wickets

Imran Tahir is spinning his web 🕸️#MIEmirates #OneFamily #MIEvADKR pic.twitter.com/GdZGca2lag

— MI Emirates (@MIEmirates) February 3, 2023

11 years down & still MARCH-ing on! 💜

Way to go, @Marchant90 👏#MIEvADKR #BornToStorm #DPWorldILT20 pic.twitter.com/sf3LMTEaWo

— Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (@ADKRiders) February 3, 2023

Kieron Pollard vs Andre Russell 🤯🔥 | #MIEvADKR @KieronPollard55 pic.twitter.com/TSeOHdQkVS

— Mumbai Indians FC™ (@mumbaiindian_fc) February 3, 2023

Lorcan Tucker retires out despite batting alright. That is a real selfless move there and even if it was the team's instructions, kudos to the batter for accepting it. Funnily, he was doing well compared to Muhammad Waseem, who should have ideally retired out much earlier #ILT20

— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) February 3, 2023

Biggest problem of Abu Dhabi knight riders, they don't rotate strikes even!

Scoring just 1 run in 15th over? Crazy!! #ILT20

— Gyaani-Cricketer 🇮🇳 (@GyaaniCricketer) February 3, 2023

where is the bowling of Imran Tahir such a useless captaincy from pollard today , why the hell dragging into depth to give him bowling if death spinner bowls the match fate may change

— Prince Rockstar (@Rockstar7077) February 3, 2023

The sweet taste of victory and play-off qualification 🥳🎉#MIEmirates #OneFamily #MIEvADKR pic.twitter.com/CDRXOFvaXT

— MI Emirates (@MIEmirates) February 3, 2023