ILT20 2025: Nicholas Pooran hails ‘great performance with bat and ball’ after win against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

MI Emirates skipper Nicholas Pooran lauded the team’s performance with both bat and ball after their convincing 28-run win against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi in the ongoing ILT20 on Tuesday. 

After they were put into bat by Sunil Narine, MI Emirates posted a par score of 186 runs on the board. Nicholas Pooran top-scored with 49 runs off just 26 balls whereas Romario Shepherd added the finishing touches with a blistering cameo of 13-ball 38, including four fours and three maximums.

On the other hand, ADKR could only manage 158-9 in their 20 overs as none of the batters could go past the 40-run mark.

Nicholas Pooran said in the post-match presentation, “Very happy. Great performance with both bat and ball. Really crucial to have that power-hitting down the order. Gives us that flexibility. Fielding is something we stressed on, really proud of the guys. Nice to see these guys taking catches and diving around. From the bowling aspect, everyone did their job.”

Apart from providing a quickfire cameo, MI Emirates all-rounder Romario Shepherd returned with figures of 2-14, accounting for Michael Pepper and Alishan Sharafu.

Shepherd said after he was awarded Player of the Match, “Feels good, we knew how important this game was. Was relaxed because Pooran was there. Was just trying to get to the last over and seeing what I could get. Whenever you do good in one department it gives you confidence in the others. Still want to be a complete all-rounder that can bowl at any stage.”

On the other hand, ADKR captain Sunil Narine feels Romario Shepherd took the game away from them with his whirlwind knock. 

Narine said after the loss, “We were going good till the 18th over but we had to have a fielder in for the slow over-rate and Shepherd is a powerful player. It’s hard to keep up with the over-rate with just one spinner. You wouldn’t want those things (extras), it’s something we have to look at and fix next game. We’ve been losing a cluster of wickets, still played good cricket, we started off good. Need to get on top of the key moments.”

MI Emirates will once again take on Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Friday.