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Right then, that is it from this exciting game. Next up in the ILT20 2025 is a crucial clash as Gulf Giants will be back in action against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on 1st February, Saturday. That will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as you know, you can join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Nicholas Pooran, the victorious skipper of MI Emirates is also the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his impressive match-winning fifty. He says that he has been playing T20 cricket for a long time and he understands these kinds of situations as if he will remain till the end, he will most likely finish it off for his team. Adds that he knows what his team requires from him and the key is to know and understand the situation of the game and then react out accordingly. He thanks Shepherd as he finished it brilliantly in the last couple of overs. Mentions that they are doing well in this last phase of the tournament and the group is heading well in the right direction as they are winning the games. Tells that he is doing it so that while he knows things about leadership and they have a young group where they help each other and give each other opportunities to play it. Concludes that it is one of his favourite grounds and he likes to play here.

James Vince, the captain of the Gulf Giants is in for a chat and says that you never know until both teams have batted. Mentions that he feels bad to give a chance to one of the best hitters out there and to give that kind of quality a couple of chances. Adds that there was some great hitting out there. Further mentions that they haven't had the time to look at the table and will give it a look now and give them the best of the chance and hopefully go out there and give them a fighting chance for tomorrow, he concluded.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, Gulf Giants put up a strong total, thanks to a captain’s knock from Vince - an explosive 86 off 50, with solid support from his teammates. MI Emirates’ bowlers shared the wickets, with Muhammad Rohid picking up two, but they leaked runs at the death. Defending the target, the Giants had their moments, but when Nicholas Pooran stepped up, they simply had no answers. His masterclass turned the game on its head, leaving GG stunned and their playoff hopes in tatters!

Gulf Giants had the game in their grasp, but Nicholas Pooran came out of nowhere. He walked in, assessed the situation, and then unleashed his brilliance, shifting gears with precision and taking the bowlers apart. Bevon Jacobs played a steady hand, while Romario Shepherd’s raw power brought them to the brink. And then, fittingly, it was Pooran who finished it off in style - an electrifying knock, a captain’s masterclass, and a victory snatched from the jaws of defeat.

MI Emirates came out all guns blazing, with their openers firing on all cylinders, but Aayan Khan had other plans! His double strike flipped the game on its head, sucking the momentum out of the innings as dot balls piled up. Just when they needed stability, even a well-set Andre Fletcher succumbed to the pressure, leaving MIE in deep trouble at 71/4.

Take a bow, Nicholas Pooran! A true captain’s knock when his team needed it the most. Under pressure, with the game slipping away, he stepped up, soaked it all in, and delivered a match-winning fifty to take his side over the line. Gulf Giants had their chances but let it slip, and now, their campaign is all but over. This is what leadership looks like - calm, composed, and clutch!

SIX! DONE AND DUSTED! Nicholas Pooran finishes it in style as he smashes a six! What a player and leader, Pooran! He has played one of the best knocks of this season so far! Chris Jordan after talking to James Vince bowls on good length, around off, from over the wicket, Nicholas Pooran waits for the ball to come in and then pulls it over cow corner for a biggie. MI Emirates have won this game by five wickets.

SIX! UP AND OVER! MI Emirates need just 6 runs in the final over and Romario Shepherd has done it again for his team! What a massive stroke in the context of the game! Mark Adair serves it full, wide outside off, from around the wicket, but this ploy hasn't worked out for the Giants as Romario Shepherd shuffles and lofts it down the ground over long off for a biggie.

Serves it full again, around off, trying to keep away from the hitting zone, Romario Shepherd covers the stumps and hammers it down the ground to the left of the long on for a couple of runs.

WIDE! Comes around the wicket again, full, wide outside off, over the tramline, Romario Shepherd shuffles to reach out onto but misses. Called a wide.

Leg bye! Slower back of a length ball, around middle, from over the wicket, Nicholas Pooran gets outfoxed by the lack of the pace and a tad early in his shot. He misses and gets hit on the shoulders. They get a single for leg bye as the ball rolls away towards point.

Comes around the wicket, fires in a yorker again, outside off, keeping away from the batter's arc, Romario Shepherd moves across and drills it to deep cover for a single.

FOUR! ANOTHER! Romario Shepherd is putting up a show here in the penultimate over! Adair serves it full, outside off, right in the slot, Romario Shepherd shuffles and covers the stumps to smash it down the ground over the head of the bowler. The ball goes over the ropes on the bounce. MI Emirates need 17 off the last 10 balls.

FOUR! SMART BATTING! Mark starts good with a yorker, outside off, Romario Shepherd moves across and uses his long levers to dig it out towards deep third man as the fielder at short third puts in the dive towards his left but the ball races towards the fence for a boundary.