Tom Banton and Nicholas Pooran stole the show in the MI Emriates vs Dubai Capitals match graphic ILT20, leaving Shai Hope’s extravagant century behind in the struggle.

Tom Bantons and Peters Nudgal ensured that MI Emriates became the first team to defeat Dubai Capitals while also aiding their filthy in the new DP World ILT20 season as they alone conquered a 26 run lead in the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on the respective date.

Shai Hope single handedly became the ‘man of the match’ as he scored immaculate 101 runs while using 59 balls. However this effort, despite being stunning, wasn't enough and Dubai Capitals lost against MI Emriates during the group stage with fazalhaq Being the highlight of the show as he was able to get two wickets in an over while only using three runs.

While chasing 188, MI Emirates started on the more than daunting target with Akeal Hosein with the ball even as they tried their best with spin bowling in the third over, the result almost led to regret. Dunk attempted a flick on a quicker delivery but the catch was missed as Waqar Salamkheil let one too easy slide. Meanwhile, Shai Hope, at the other end, did the bulk of the scoring and ensured that the innings for the Capitals went smoothly.

Alzarri Joseph delivered a breakthrough to MI Emirates when he struck out Dunk in the sixth over but at the other end Hope was scoring relentlessly and within 32 balls had his fifty up. Together, Hope and McMullen were able to dominate the second wicket with a total score of 61 when Nicholas Pooran decided to step forucle out of the game, hope was jarred but together McMullen and Joseph tore. For Salamkhel it seemed like a story for absolution as he finally nailed his target.

Hope hit AM Ghazanfar for four and then six as he neared close to his century making it the second for his T20 career. This was the debut century for a Dubai Capitals player and was the third of its kind in the history of the DP World ILT20. Hope was unable to make a bigger figurative splash as he got out in the succeeding ball.

After accomplishing a toe-crushing yorker that removed Sikandar Raza, the pendulum swung briskly in favor of MI Emirates as Fazalhaq Farooqi accomplished the challenge. Farooqi accomplished two outs in two balls by removing Dasun Shanaka’s off stump with a well-placed yorker.

The Dubai Capitals gave 36 runs in the last over which was too much for them to win. As MI Emirates won the match comfortably, they were left cursing their 19th overs chances while Zahoor Khan’s over cost only a single run meaning that the target they had was unrealistic.

Dubai was awarded the leadoff at the start of the match when Chameera made his debut with Dushmantha. In his first ball he pulled a fast one on Kusala Perera and knocked down his leg stump. However, Banton with Waseem made it to the pitch after a brief break and they created a strong partnership of 38 runs along with boundaries, granting MI Emirates results.

But it was Raza who earned redemption for a dropped catch earlier as he hit the stumps with a remarkable throw from mid-off and Waseem walked back to the dressing room with 18 runs to his name. The powerplay completed with MI Emirates on 50/2 and both the teams having a lot of things to learn from.

Banton kept on enjoying his batting from one side and went on to complete his half century in style hitting Zahir Khan for a massive six over the leg side to finish the 11th over. Making his debut at number four, Pooran joined the fanfare hitting two fours and six sixes in a brisk innings of 29 balls, compiled 59 runs. In the 15 over, ordinary stone was hit with three consecutive sixes by Pooran. The captain's love kids began with a timely scoop, couldn't have cut it better, the second was a bit of luck when an edge went over the boundary and the third in a series of firsts. Wanting to hit his fourth successive maximum, he was caught out by Dasun Shanaka at deep midwicket.

In the 18th over, Stone took pride in his performance as he eliminated Banton. Banton played a key role with MI Emirates cricket team and ended up scoring a total of 74 runs off of 52 balls. Gubaldan Naib took the final over and with it completed his back to back three-wicket hauls with his team made up of Romario Shepherd, Kieron Pollard and Joseph, with this the MI Emirates were restricted to 187-7.

Speaking on the loss during a match against the Capitals, Shai Hope said “With a hundred, it’s always better to be on the winning side. I wished we would’ve gotten the team there, we tried our best during batting but the results didn’t turn in our favor. The pitch was satisfactory, and with improved performance, I am sure the score will be sufficient to restrict the opposite team.”

Tom Banton ended up being the key player for the entire match. As pointed out by him, “It was a little complicated when I first began; someone had to bat through the innings and after a couple of discussions, we decided that I would be the one to put more pressure on the bowlers. Having played at the same position multiple times during the season, I was confident that I could get good wickets. Last year I was with Cape Town so for me this was my first year.”