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Key Takeaways
- 1📊 Knight Riders all out for 122; Emirates chased in 14 overs
- 2🏆 Mendis-Farooqi took 7 wickets combined
- 3💡 Middle-overs collapse from 49/2 to 74/5
- 4🔮 MI Emirates strengthen ILT20 2026 playoff contention
"While the Sri Lankan spinner ran through in the middle-overs, the Afghan pacer wrapped up the tail to restrict Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to 122"
Kamindu Mendis and Fazalhaq Farooqi dominated with seven wickets combined as MI Emirates cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in a lopsided ILT20 clash. The Knight Riders crumbled to 122 all out in 20 overs, a target Emirates chased in just the 14th over with clinical ease.
Spin Wizardry Crushes Middle Order
Farooqi and Romario Shepherd struck early, dismissing Phil Salt and Alex Hales in the Powerplay to leave Knight Riders reeling at 25/2 by the fourth over. Then Mendis unleashed middle-overs mayhem, spinning through Brandon McMullen, Liam Livingstone, and Sherfane Rutherford as the score slid from 49/2 in the eighth to 74/5 in the 11th. Knight Riders briefly rallied past 100 thanks to Alishan Sharfu and Sunil Narine, flirting with 150, but Farooqi returned to shatter the tail alongside Rashid Khan's crucial breakthrough.
Emirates' chase was a no-contest, showcasing their batting depth in the ILT20 2026 season. This win solidifies their playoff push while Knight Riders face mounting pressure.
