MI Emirates vs KnightRiders, 14th Match at Abu Dhabi, ILT20, Jan 21 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

10:38pm That will be all from us for this game. We hope you enjoyed our coverage and hope to have your company soon again. Until next time, this is goodbye from Thilak and myself. Take care, folks!

Romario Shepherd, Player of the Match: Feels good. We talked about how important this game is - to go out and get the win was big for us. I was kind of relaxed (when going in to bat) because Pooran was there. When he got out, he told me to be there till the last over and then see what I could get in the last over. He asked me to get at least 30 in the last two. As an all-rounder, whenever you do good in one, you try to transfer it into another department. I still want to be that complete all-rounder where the captain can call upon me anytime. I'm working hard on it with the bowling coach.

Nicholas Pooran, MI Emirates captain: Really happy. A complete performance with bat and ball. Some malfunctioning, though (smiles). Really, really crucial. Having him (Shepherd) there, it gives us the chance to get Polly (Pollard) higher up (to bat), let him get set and do what he does. Really good to have someone of Romario's skill (at the back end). Fielding is something we have stressed on. Really proud of the guys, they have been putting in the work in the nets and in training. In the bowling aspect, everyone did their job. A couple of bad overs here and there but we can discuss that tomorrow and come back (for our next game).

Sunil Narine, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain: Up to the 18th over, we were going good. What made it tough was the slow over-rate and one guy coming in. Shepherd has power, Pooran was still around. We tried to execute but they played well. (On the over-rate) It is tough knowing some of your bowlers are fast bowlers but as guys, we can move quicker. But in games (like this), it could cost you. It is something we have to look at and fix. It is happening in a few games that we are losing wickets in clusters - something we need to think about. We were doing pretty well in the first 18 overs and started well with the bat, but it is the key moments we have to sharpen on.

10:23pm A T20 that began almost four hours ago, ends in a 28-run win for MI Emirates. It was a patchy bowling display, especially considering the number of wides and extras they conceded but in crunch moments, their quality shone through. One of those was during the middle overs, when Salamkheil and Zahoor squeezed the Knight Riders. That pushed the run-rate up and as it turned out, the run-rate was pushed up to a point of no return, despite Russell's cameo.

There will be loads to dissect from an ADKR POV. They got off to a blazing start but struggled to sustain that momentum. Evans had an evening to forget, with Gous also huffing and puffing once the field restrictions were lifted. Their inability to build partnerships also played a part and they will have a fair bit to introspect before their next game.

Ibrar is the last man in

32 off 5. Five legal deliveries and MI Emirates will be home

33 off the last over. Surely MI Emirates have enough in the bank? Joseph to bowl

Over the wicket now

Holder joins Russell. This chase is getting away from the Knight Riders. 42 off 11

Willey in at 9. Joseph stays over the wicket

51 off 18 now. Russell on strike, Joseph to bowl. ADKR need this to be a big over