Shepherd's heroics help MI Emirates open account

Romario Shepherd starred at the death with both bat and ball to help MI Emirates open their account in ILT20 2025. Shepherd's heroics ensured Emirates picked up a tight four-run win, leaving Sharjah Warriorz winless.

With Warriorz needing 11 from the final over, Shepherd bowled to Dinesh Karthik and Adil Rashid. After a wide first ball, he executed a series of yorkers to deny Karthik and eventually dismiss him, sealing the win. Earlier, Warriorz appeared in control following Sikandar Raza's blazing half-century.

Raza arrived in the final over of the powerplay after Tim David's dismissal, with Warriorz struggling at 48/3. He accelerated quickly, reaching 23 off 12 by the ninth over, and hit Shakib Al Hasan for back-to-back sixes. Warriorz raced to 151/3 after 15 overs, needing 35 from the final five.

However, AM Ghazanfar turned the contest by dismissing Raza and Dwaine Pretorius in one over, derailing the chase. Warriorz still fancied their chances in the final over, but Shepherd spoiled their party.

Earlier, Shepherd made the difference at the end of Emirates' innings. Jonny Bairstow provided a solid start, and Muhammad Waseem built a platform after his departure. Adil Rashid applied brakes by removing Nicholas Pooran and Waseem in the same over.

Shakib Al Hasan retired himself out with four overs left, making way for big-hitters. With Kieron Pollard not making an impact, Shepherd provided the impetus, hammering back-to-back sixes off Maheesh Theekshana and finishing with two more sixes off the final two deliveries. His 31* off 10 balls helped Emirates breach 180.

Brief scores: MI Emirates 185/8 in 20 overs (Muhammad Waseem 39, Jonny Bairstow 37; Adil Rashid 3/32) beat Sharjah Warriorz 181/7 in 20 overs (Sikandar Raza 64; AM Ghazanfar 2/21) by 4 runs.