ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – West Indies left-hander Shimron Hetmyer lashed a six off the final delivery of the contest as Gulf Giants edged Kieron Pollard’s MI Emirates by five wickets here yesterday, to notch their fifth win in six games in the International League T20.
With Giants needing three for victory off the last ball after being asked to chase 140 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Hetmyer deposited a low full toss from English seamer Jordan Thompson over the ropes at mid-wicket, to earn his side a spot in the playoffs.
Hetmyer finished on 13 not out from eight balls but it was Tom Banton, who top-scored with 45 from 39 balls, who laid the foundation for the successful run chase.
Chris Lynn chipped in with 28 while James Vince struck 26, Gerhard Erasmus helping out in the lower order with 20.
Veteran former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo finished with two for 32 from four excellent overs.
Earlier, former West Indies white-ball captain Nicholas Pooran top-scored with 42 from 29 deliveries but Emirates could only muster an inadequate 139 all out with a ball left in the innings.
Opener Andre Fletcher (4) was one of two early wickets, trapped in front by West Indies teammate left-arm seamer Dominic Drakes (2-21), as Giants slipped to 27 for two in the fourth over.
However, Pooran arrived to blast three fours and three sixes, inspiring a 61-run, third wicket partnership with Muhammad Waseem (29), to lift the innings.
Once Waseem was bowled by Barbados-born England seamer Chris Jordan (3-12) – the eventual Man-of-the-Match – the innings declined swiftly with the last eight wickets falling for 51 runs.
Pollard sparkled albeit briefly with a seven-ball 19, with a four and a brace of sixes while Bravo made only three.
In reply, Banton and Lynn then anchored the two key partnerships which helped get Giants over the line. First, Banton struck five fours and a six in a 61-run opening stand with Vince before Lynn put on a further 42 for the third wicket with Erasmus, leaving Hetmyer to put on the finishing touches.
