ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Captain Nicholas Pooran and his West Indies teammate Andre Fletcher both produced cameos in an unbroken third wicket partnership, as they steered MI Emirates to an eight-wicket win over Johnson Charles’s Sharjah Warriors.
Asked to chase a modest 130 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Emirates coasted to their target with nearly nine overs to spare, to stretch their lead at the top of the standings.
The left-handed Pooran blasted a nine-ball unbeaten 24 with a four and three sixes while Fletcher, a right-hander, counted three fours in scoring 22 not out from 18 balls.
Together, they put on 43 to guarantee Emirates a drama-less finish, and guide them to their fifth win of the ILT20 here Friday.
Sri Lankan Kusal Perera had earlier struck a top score of 47 off 27 deliveries with five fours and a couple of sixes, to inspire an opening stand of 80 with Muhammad Waseem, who required only 13 balls for his 37 which included four fours and three sixes.
Sent in, Warriors were dismissed for 129 off their 20 overs with Zimbabwean Sean Williams lashing 35 from 25 deliveries and Charles chipping in with 29 from 31 balls.
Charles posted 34 for the first wicket with Sri Lankan Niroshan Dickwella (17) before falling in the eighth over, and Williams then held the innings together thereafter in an innings which included three fours and a six.
West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein claimed two for 20 from four overs.
Emirates, on 10 points, are four clear of Dubai Capitals.