Romario Shepherd had an excellent all-round performance to lead MI Emirates to a 28-run win over the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in International League T20 (ILT20) action at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Shepherd took 2-14 from his two overs to help restrict the Knight Riders to 158-9 from their 20 overs in pursuit of 187 for victory.

Andre Russell led the way for the Knight Riders with 37* off 23 balls but some slow batting from the top order left the big-hitting all-rounder with too much to do in the end.

Opener Andries Gous was the next highest scorer with a run-a-ball 34. Alzarri Joseph also picked up two wickets while conceding 33 in his four overs.

Earlier, the Emirates made 186-6 after being put in to bat by Knight Riders captain Sunil Narine.

Captain Nicholas Pooran led the way with a 26-ball 49 including five fours and two sixes but it was Shepherd who stole the show late in the innings with 38* off just 13 balls inclusive of four fours and three sixes to propel the Emirates to what turned out to be a winning total.

Opener Muhammad Waseem also made 38 off 35 balls. Jason Holder took 2-38 from his four overs.

Summarized scores:

MI Emirates 186-6 from 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 49, Romario Shepherd 38*, Muhammad Waseem 38, Jason Holder 2-38)

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 158-9 from 20 overs (Andre Russell 37*, Andries Gous 34, Romario Shepherd 2-14, Alzarri Joseph 2-33).