MI Emirates become ILT20 2024 champions
MI Emirates finally got the trophy they wanted by defeating the Dubai Capitals by 45 runs in the final to win the ILT20 2024 title. DC were never in the chase, having conceded 208 runs in 20 overs. They were restricted to 163 for 7 in 20 overs.
The Capitals won the toss and elected to bowl first, a move that backfired. Muhammad Waseem and Kusal Perera added 77 runs in 6.4 overs. While Waseem scored 43 runs off 24 balls, his opening partner, Perera, had 38 runs off 26 deliveries.
Andre Fletcher’s 53 runs came off 37 balls, laced with 4 sixes and 3 fours. He was assisted by captain Nicholas Pooran, who amassed an unbeaten 57 runs in just 27 balls. The southpaw hit 6 sixes and 2 fours, and his runs came at a strike rate of 211.11.
Dubai Capitals didn’t look like they were going for the total as they kept losing wickets. Opener Leus du Plooy went back without opening his account. Tom Banton (35) and Tom Abell (14) were not given loose balls and lost their wickets in search of quick runs.
Dubai was counting on Raza, who has been the best all-rounder in the league so far. However, he couldn’t time the ball properly during his short stays at the crease. He took 13 balls to score just 10 runs before Vijayakanth Viyaskanth got rid of him.
The hope of DC captain Sam Billings tried his best, but the fall of regular wickets put him under pressure, and he stumped on a score of 40 runs in 29 balls.
Rovman Powell (8) was the sixth batter to depart. Jason Holde scored 24 off balls, but the match was already out of Dubai's reach. He became Trent Boult’s second wicket of the night. Vijayakanth Viyaskanth added two scalps to his bowling figures.