MD Aftab's 73 Fires Abu Dhabi to Victory
Abu Dhabi
191/5 (20)
Emirates Blues
169/6 (20)
Abu Dhabi won by 22 runs
View full scorecard →Abu Dhabi have won by 22 runs. Abu Dhabi batted first and posted 191/5 in 20 overs. Emirates Blues, chasing 192, fell short at 169/6 in 20 overs.
MD Aftab was the standout in the first innings, scoring 73 off 40 balls (SR 183). 5 sixes and 6 fours provided the impetus. The powerplay yielded 66 runs.
Asif Mohammad Taniwal fought hard with 59 off 39 balls, but it was not enough to haul Emirates Blues over the line. The required rate climbed too steeply in the end.
With the ball, Nadeera Ishan delivered figures of 2/26 in 4 overs (Econ 6.5). A tidy spell that kept the pressure on throughout.
ABD lead the series 15-3. The pressure is firmly on the chasing side now.
The Turning Point
Over 6 of the first innings was the inflection point — 17 runs came off it, shifting the momentum and setting the stage for a total that ultimately proved too much.
Key Performers
73 off 40 balls (SR 183), 6 fours, 5 sixes
2/26 in 4 overs (Econ: 6.50)
59 off 39 balls (SR 151), 9 fours, 0 sixes
Verdict
Abu Dhabi showed composure when it mattered most and deserve this victory. Emirates Blues came up short by 22 runs. There were passages where they looked competitive, but consistency eluded them when it mattered. ABD lead the series 15-3. The pressure is firmly on the chasing side now.