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The Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates match scorecard from the International League T20 (ILT20) 2025–26 season records an eight-wicket victory for MI Emirates. The match was played on December 23, 2025, with Gulf Giants batting first and scoring 141 runs for six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. MI Emirates chased the target confidently, reaching 142/2 in 16.3 overs to secure the win.
Muhammad Waseem and Nicholas Pooran were the standout performers during the chase. Waseem remained unbeaten on 59, while Pooran scored an unbeaten 69 to guide MI Emirates to victory. Moeen Ali top-scored for Gulf Giants with 51 runs, but the team struggled to build enough momentum to set a more challenging target.
This article covers the match result, innings scorecards, batting performances, bowling figures, important moments and frequently asked questions about the fixture.
Gulf Giants Vs MI Emirates Match Summary
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | International League T20 2025–26 |
| Match | Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates |
| Match Date | December 23, 2025 |
| Venue | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Gulf Giants Score | 141/6 in 20 overs |
| MI Emirates Score | 142/2 in 16.3 overs |
| Result | MI Emirates won by 8 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Muhammad Waseem |
| Top Scorer for Gulf Giants | Moeen Ali – 51 runs |
| Top Scorer for MI Emirates | Nicholas Pooran – 69* runs |
MI Emirates won the match with 21 balls remaining, demonstrating their control during the run chase. Gulf Giants had a few useful contributions with the bat, particularly from Moeen Ali and Kyle Mayers, but the total proved insufficient against MI Emirates’ strong batting lineup.
Gulf Giants Innings Scorecard
Gulf Giants finished their innings at 141/6 in 20 overs. The innings began with early setbacks, putting pressure on the middle order. Moeen Ali provided the most substantial contribution, scoring 51 runs from 48 deliveries. His innings included two fours and two sixes, helping the side recover after losing wickets in the powerplay.
Kyle Mayers added an unbeaten 28 from 18 balls, including four boundaries and a six. Azmatullah Omarzai scored 14, while Asif Khan contributed 12. Despite these efforts, Gulf Giants were unable to produce a sustained acceleration during the final overs.
Gulf Giants Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 11 | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| James Vince | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Asif Khan | 12 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| Moeen Ali | 51 | 48 | 2 | 2 |
| Lorcan Tucker | 13 | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 14 | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Kyle Mayers | 28* | 18 | 4 | 1 |
| Mark Adair | Did not bat | — | — | — |
| Haider Razzaq | Did not bat | — | — | — |
| Extras | 9 | — | — | — |
| Total | 141/6 | 20 overs |
The asterisk indicates that the batter remained not out. The innings total includes extras.
Moeen Ali’s half-century was the main foundation of the Gulf Giants innings. He attempted to rebuild after early wickets and maintain a partnership through the middle overs. His measured approach helped the team avoid a collapse, although the scoring rate remained relatively modest for a T20 match.
Mayers provided a late boost with an unbeaten innings, finding boundaries when opportunities arose. However, MI Emirates’ bowlers restricted the scoring sufficiently to keep the target within reach.
MI Emirates Bowling Performance
MI Emirates’ bowling unit kept Gulf Giants to 141 runs, a total their batters were able to chase comfortably. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Romario Shepherd claimed two wickets apiece, disrupting the opposition’s batting at important stages. Zahoor Khan also contributed with a wicket.
MI Emirates Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 4 | 17 | 2 |
| Romario Shepherd | 4 | 36 | 2 |
| Zahoor Khan | 3 | 26 | 1 |
| Arab Gul | 3 | 18 | 1 |
| Other bowlers | — | — | — |
Farooqi’s economical spell was particularly important. He conceded only 17 runs in four overs while taking two wickets, limiting Gulf Giants’ ability to build a large total. Shepherd also picked up two wickets, although he conceded more runs while bowling his full allocation.
The combined effect of wickets and controlled bowling prevented Gulf Giants from reaching a score that would put significant pressure on the chasing team.
MI Emirates Innings Scorecard
Chasing 142 runs, MI Emirates lost two wickets early but recovered quickly through Muhammad Waseem and Nicholas Pooran. Waseem stayed composed after the opening setbacks, while Pooran played an attacking innings to ensure that the chase did not become complicated.
Pooran finished unbeaten on 69 from 49 balls, striking six fours and three sixes. Waseem supported him with 59 not out from 42 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes. Their partnership shifted the momentum decisively in MI Emirates’ favour.
MI Emirates Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad Waseem | 59* | 42 | 3 | 3 |
| Jonny Bairstow | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tom Banton | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Nicholas Pooran | 69* | 49 | 6 | 3 |
| Extras | 14 | — | — | — |
| Total | 142/2 | 16.3 overs |
MI Emirates required only 16.3 overs to complete the chase. Despite losing Bairstow and Banton for very low scores, the team maintained its composure. Waseem and Pooran avoided unnecessary risks early in their partnership before finding scoring opportunities against the Gulf Giants attack.
Pooran’s unbeaten 69 was the highest individual score of the match. Waseem’s 59 not out was equally important because it provided stability after the early wickets. Together, the two batters took MI Emirates across the finish line without allowing Gulf Giants to regain control.
Gulf Giants Bowling Figures
Gulf Giants needed early wickets to defend their total, but they could not break the partnership between Waseem and Pooran. Mark Adair and Azmatullah Omarzai each took a wicket, yet the remaining bowling options were unable to stop the scoring consistently enough.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Adair | 3.3 | 30 | 1 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 3 | 20 | 1 |
| Fred Klaassen | 3 | 30 | 0 |
| Haider Razzaq | 3 | 18 | 0 |
| Kyle Mayers | 1 | 11 | 0 |
| Tabraiz Shamsi | 3 | 26 | 0 |
The key challenge for Gulf Giants was the lack of wickets once the opening pair had been dismissed. Waseem and Pooran built their partnership carefully, then accelerated as the target became more manageable. With 21 deliveries remaining when MI Emirates reached the target, the bowling side had little opportunity to create late pressure.
Key Moments of the Match
1. Early wickets for MI Emirates: Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton were dismissed for ducks. Those wickets briefly gave Gulf Giants an opportunity to put the chase under pressure.
2. Moeen Ali’s half-century: Moeen scored 51 from 48 balls and helped Gulf Giants recover after losing wickets. His innings was the most significant contribution to the first-innings total.
3. Kyle Mayers’ unbeaten finish: Mayers added 28 not out from 18 balls, helping Gulf Giants reach 141/6. The late runs were useful, although the final total was not enough to challenge MI Emirates.
4. Waseem and Pooran take control: Muhammad Waseem and Nicholas Pooran steadied the chase and scored unbeaten half-centuries. Their partnership was the defining phase of the match.
5. MI Emirates win with 21 balls remaining: MI Emirates reached 142/2 in 16.3 overs to win by eight wickets. The margin reflected their strong batting response and effective handling of the target.
Player of the Match: Muhammad Waseem
Muhammad Waseem was named Player of the Match after scoring an unbeaten 59 from 42 deliveries. His contribution was crucial following the early dismissals of Bairstow and Banton. Instead of allowing Gulf Giants to build pressure, Waseem helped MI Emirates settle into the chase and form a match-winning partnership with Pooran.
Nicholas Pooran also played a decisive role, finishing on 69 not out. His ability to find boundaries while keeping the innings moving made the target increasingly comfortable. The two batters combined experience and attacking intent to secure the result.
What the Result Means
The eight-wicket victory gave MI Emirates an important result in the ILT20 2025–26 campaign. Their bowlers had restricted Gulf Giants to 141/6, and their top-order batters made sure the target was chased without a late collapse.
For Gulf Giants, Moeen Ali’s 51 and Mayers’ unbeaten 28 were positives, but the side needed a larger total or more wickets during the chase to change the outcome. Their bowling attack managed two early dismissals, yet could not separate Waseem and Pooran.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates match?
MI Emirates won by eight wickets. Gulf Giants scored 141/6 in 20 overs, and MI Emirates chased the target with a total of 142/2 in 16.3 overs.
What was the Gulf Giants score?
Gulf Giants scored 141 runs for six wickets in 20 overs. Moeen Ali top-scored with 51 runs, while Kyle Mayers remained unbeaten on 28.
What was the MI Emirates score?
MI Emirates finished at 142/2 in 16.3 overs. Nicholas Pooran scored 69 not out, and Muhammad Waseem contributed an unbeaten 59.
Who was Player of the Match?
Muhammad Waseem received the Player of the Match award for his unbeaten 59 off 42 balls, which helped MI Emirates complete the chase after losing two early wickets.
Where can I find the full Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates match scorecard?
The scorecard includes both teams’ batting totals, bowling figures, match result and individual performances. The official Gulf Giants website and recognised cricket scorecard platforms provide match details for the ILT20 fixture played on December 23, 2025.
Conclusion
The Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates match scorecard highlights a convincing eight-wicket win for MI Emirates in the ILT20 2025–26 season. Gulf Giants posted 141/6, with Moeen Ali making 51, but MI Emirates responded with a controlled chase. Muhammad Waseem scored 59 not out and Nicholas Pooran added 69 not out, taking their team to 142/2 in 16.3 overs.
The match was decided by MI Emirates’ ability to recover from two early wickets and build a strong partnership. For Gulf Giants, the main takeaway was the need to turn a steady first-innings effort into a more competitive total and find further breakthroughs during the chase.
