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The MI Emirates Vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Match Scorecard for the 21st match of the International League T20 (ILT20) 2025–26 season records an impressive performance by MI Emirates. The match took place on December 20, 2025, at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. MI Emirates batted first and scored 187/4 in 20 overs before restricting Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to 152/7, winning by 35 runs.
Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton contributed quick half-century partnerships, while Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard accelerated the scoring in the final overs. For Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Brandon McMullen remained unbeaten on 64, but his effort was not enough to complete the chase. Zahoor Khan was named Player of the Match for his economical bowling performance of 3/16.
This article covers the full batting and bowling scorecards, important performances, fall of wickets, match statistics, and frequently asked questions.
Match Summary
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to restrict MI Emirates and chase a manageable target. However, the decision was challenged by MI Emirates’ aggressive batting, particularly during the powerplay.
Muhammad Waseem provided a steady start, while Jonny Bairstow scored quickly after entering the crease. Tom Banton continued the momentum with a useful innings, and Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard added valuable runs towards the end.
Chasing 188, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders lost Philip Salt early but recovered through Alex Hales and Brandon McMullen. McMullen scored a fighting 64 not out, yet the team finished on 152/7 in 20 overs. Zahoor Khan’s three wickets helped MI Emirates maintain control of the match.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | International League T20 2025–26 |
| Match number | 21st match |
| Date | December 20, 2025 |
| Venue | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Toss | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders elected to bowl |
| MI Emirates | 187/4 in 20 overs |
| Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 152/7 in 20 overs |
| Result | MI Emirates won by 35 runs |
| Player of the Match | Zahoor Khan |
MI Emirates Innings Scorecard
MI Emirates scored 187/4 in 20 overs, recording a strong total at a run rate of 9.35 per over. Their innings combined steady opening batting with aggressive middle- and late-order hitting.
Muhammad Waseem scored 37 from 36 balls, providing stability at the top. Jonny Bairstow then played an explosive innings of 38 from just 16 deliveries. Tom Banton also scored 38, helping MI Emirates maintain their momentum.
Nicholas Pooran remained unbeaten on 40 from 24 balls, while Kieron Pollard scored 28 from 16 deliveries. Their partnership pushed the score towards 190 and left Abu Dhabi Knight Riders with a challenging target.
MI Emirates Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad Waseem | 37 | 36 | 3 | 1 |
| Jonny Bairstow | 38 | 16 | 5 | 2 |
| Tom Banton | 38 | 28 | 2 | 1 |
| Nicholas Pooran | 40* | 24 | 2 | 2 |
| Kieron Pollard | 28 | 16 | 2 | 2 |
| Romario Shepherd | 1* | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | Did not bat | — | — | — |
| Sanjay Krishnamurthi | Did not bat | — | — | — |
| Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar | Did not bat | — | — | — |
| Zahoor Khan | Did not bat | — | — | — |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Did not bat | — | — | — |
| Arab Gul Momand | Did not bat | — | — | — |
| Total | 187/4 | 20 overs |
Extras: 5. Nicholas Pooran and Romario Shepherd were not out at the end of the innings.
Key Batting Performances for MI Emirates
Jonny Bairstow’s Explosive Innings
Jonny Bairstow was one of the most aggressive batters in the match. He scored 38 runs from 16 balls, striking five fours and two sixes. His rapid scoring gave MI Emirates an early advantage and put pressure on Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ bowling attack.
Bairstow’s innings was particularly valuable because it increased the scoring rate without requiring him to spend many deliveries at the crease. His dismissal did not halt the team’s progress, as Tom Banton continued the attacking approach.
Tom Banton Provides Stability and Momentum
Tom Banton made 38 from 28 balls, hitting two fours and one six. His innings helped maintain the momentum after Bairstow’s dismissal and built a platform for the finishers.
Banton’s contribution was important because MI Emirates needed a balance between keeping wickets in hand and scoring quickly. His partnership with Pooran helped the team move towards a total above 180.
Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard Finish Strongly
Nicholas Pooran scored an unbeaten 40 from 24 balls, while Kieron Pollard added 28 from 16 deliveries. Both batters found boundaries at important moments and ensured the scoring rate remained high during the final overs.
Pooran’s ability to rotate the strike and hit boundaries helped keep the innings moving. Pollard’s power hitting added another burst of runs, taking MI Emirates to 187/4.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Bowling Scorecard
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders used several bowling options but struggled to contain MI Emirates’ batting throughout the innings. Ajay Kumar took two wickets, while Jason Holder and Piyush Chawla claimed one wicket each.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Holder | 4 | 25 | 1 |
| Ajay Kumar | 4 | 42 | 2 |
| Olly Stone | 4 | 46 | 0 |
| Sunil Narine | 4 | 29 | 0 |
| Piyush Chawla | 3 | 24 | 1 |
| Sherfane Rutherford | 1 | 19 | 0 |
Jason Holder’s figures of 1/25 and Piyush Chawla’s 1/24 were among the more economical spells. Ajay Kumar picked up two important wickets, but the other bowlers conceded runs as MI Emirates maintained a high scoring rate.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Innings Scorecard
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders needed 188 runs to win. Their chase began with an early setback when Philip Salt was dismissed for six. Alex Hales and Brandon McMullen then added an important partnership that brought the team back into contention.
Hales scored 40 from 27 balls, striking four fours and one six. McMullen continued to anchor the innings, finishing unbeaten on 64 from 49 deliveries. However, the loss of wickets around him made the target increasingly difficult to reach.
Sherfane Rutherford, Liam Livingstone, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Jason Holder could not provide the sustained acceleration required. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders ended their 20 overs at 152/7, falling 35 runs short.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philip Salt | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Alex Hales | 40 | 27 | 4 | 1 |
| Brandon McMullen | 64* | 49 | 4 | 2 |
| Sherfane Rutherford | 5 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Liam Livingstone | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Andre Russell | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Sunil Narine | 6 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Jason Holder | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Alishan Sharafu | 15* | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| Piyush Chawla | Did not bat | — | — | — |
| Ajay Kumar | Did not bat | — | — | — |
| Olly Stone | Did not bat | — | — | — |
| Total | 152/7 | 20 overs |
Extras: 11, including one leg bye, nine wides, and one no-ball.
Top Batting Performances for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
Brandon McMullen’s Unbeaten 64
Brandon McMullen was Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ leading batter, scoring 64 not out from 49 balls. His four fours and two sixes helped keep the chase alive even as wickets fell at the other end.
McMullen showed patience and tried to build partnerships rather than play risky shots too early. His innings was the most consistent batting effort for the Knight Riders, but the required scoring rate increased as the chase progressed.
Alex Hales Adds 40 Runs
Alex Hales scored 40 from 27 deliveries, providing an important contribution near the top of the order. His four boundaries and one six helped establish a partnership with McMullen after the early dismissal of Philip Salt.
The partnership gave Abu Dhabi Knight Riders a chance to challenge the target. However, Hales’ dismissal at 96/2 was followed by a series of wickets that restricted the team’s progress.
Alishan Sharafu’s Late Contribution
Alishan Sharafu finished unbeaten on 15 from 10 balls. His late runs helped improve the final score, but the Knight Riders had lost too many wickets to mount a successful chase.
MI Emirates Bowling Scorecard
MI Emirates’ bowling attack successfully defended 187 runs. Zahoor Khan delivered the standout performance, taking three wickets for just 16 runs in four overs. Arab Gul Momand claimed two wickets, while Fazalhaq Farooqi and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar took one each.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 4 | 40 | 1 |
| Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar | 3 | 24 | 1 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 2 | 20 | 0 |
| Romario Shepherd | 4 | 32 | 0 |
| Arab Gul Momand | 3 | 19 | 2 |
| Zahoor Khan | 4 | 16 | 3 |
Zahoor Khan’s economy rate of 4.00 was crucial to MI Emirates’ victory. He removed key batters during the middle overs and prevented Abu Dhabi Knight Riders from building the partnerships needed to keep pace with the target.
Arab Gul Momand also played an important role with two wickets. Together, their spells ensured that McMullen’s resistance did not turn into a match-winning innings.
Fall of Wickets
MI Emirates Fall of Wickets
| Score | Batter dismissed | Over |
|---|---|---|
| 47/1 | Jonny Bairstow | 4.3 |
| 97/2 | Muhammad Waseem | 11.4 |
| 121/3 | Tom Banton | 14.1 |
| 183/4 | Kieron Pollard | 19.2 |
MI Emirates lost only four wickets, allowing Pooran and Shepherd to finish the innings. The late wickets did not prevent them from crossing 185.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Fall of Wickets
| Score | Batter dismissed | Over |
|---|---|---|
| 14/1 | Philip Salt | 1.1 |
| 96/2 | Alex Hales | 9.6 |
| 106/3 | Sherfane Rutherford | 12.1 |
| 108/4 | Liam Livingstone | 12.5 |
| 109/5 | Andre Russell | 13.3 |
| 120/6 | Sunil Narine | 16.3 |
| 128/7 | Jason Holder | 17.4 |
The Knight Riders’ middle-order collapse was a key factor in the result. After reaching 96/2, they lost wickets regularly and were unable to maintain the scoring rate required to chase 188.
Key Moments of the Match
- Bairstow’s fast start: His 38 from 16 balls increased the pressure on the Knight Riders’ bowlers.
- Banton’s useful innings: His 38 helped MI Emirates maintain a strong run rate.
- Pooran and Pollard’s finishing partnership: Their late acceleration pushed the total to 187/4.
- Hales and McMullen’s recovery: Their partnership gave Abu Dhabi Knight Riders hope during the chase.
- Zahoor Khan’s three wickets: His economical spell disrupted the Knight Riders’ middle order.
- MI Emirates’ 35-run victory: The team defended 187 successfully, restricting the opposition to 152/7.
Match Statistics at a Glance
| Statistic | MI Emirates | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders |
|---|---|---|
| Total score | 187/4 | 152/7 |
| Overs | 20 | 20 |
| Highest individual score | Nicholas Pooran, 40* | Brandon McMullen, 64* |
| Other major contribution | Bairstow, 38; Banton, 38 | Alex Hales, 40 |
| Best bowling performance | Zahoor Khan, 3/16 | Ajay Kumar, 2 wickets |
| Result | Won by 35 runs | Lost |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders match?
MI Emirates won by 35 runs after scoring 187/4 and restricting Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to 152/7.
2. What was MI Emirates’ final score?
MI Emirates scored 187/4 in 20 overs, with Nicholas Pooran unbeaten on 40 and Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton scoring 38 each.
3. What was Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ final score?
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders finished on 152/7 in 20 overs while chasing 188 runs.
4. Who was Player of the Match?
Zahoor Khan was named Player of the Match for his excellent bowling figures of 3/16 in four overs.
5. Who scored the most runs in the match?
Brandon McMullen was the match’s highest individual scorer, making 64 not out from 49 balls for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.
Conclusion
The MI Emirates Vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Match Scorecard highlights a convincing 35-run victory for MI Emirates in the ILT20 2025–26 season. MI Emirates posted 187/4 through useful contributions from Muhammad Waseem, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Nicholas Pooran, and Kieron Pollard.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders attempted to chase the target through Alex Hales and Brandon McMullen, but regular wickets prevented them from building the required momentum. Zahoor Khan’s three-wicket spell and Arab Gul Momand’s two wickets played major roles in defending the total.
The match demonstrated the importance of aggressive batting, strong partnerships, and economical bowling in T20 cricket. MI Emirates combined all three elements to secure a well-earned win.
