The MI Emirates rebounded from an opening game defeat at the hands of the Dubai Capitals on Saturday with a 26-run win over the same opposition on Monday to get their first points of the 2025 International League T20 (ILT20) season on Monday.

Tom Banton led the way with 74 off 52 balls while captain Nicholas Pooran hit 59 off 29 deliveries as MI Emirates posted 187-7 from their 20 overs after Capitals captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and chose to bowl.

After losing openers Kusal Perera (5) and Muhammad Waseem (18), Pooran and Banton added 109 for the third wicket to set up the competitive total.

Banton’s knock, his first half century in ILT20, included nine fours and two sixes while Pooran hit two fours and six sixes on his way to his second fifty in as many games this season.

Kieron Pollard also contributed a s 19-ball 22 for the Emirates against Gulbadin Naib’s 3-18 and Olly Stone’s 2-31.

The Capitals chase was then a one-man show as Shai Hope was the only batsman to get past 20 against some excellent MI bowling.

Hope made a very well-compiled 101 off just 59 balls, his second T20 hundred, including 11 fours and three sixes but it couldn’t prevent the Capitals from being restricted to 161-6 in their 20 overs.

Fazalhaq Farooqi, who took a five-wicket haul in the first meeting between these two sides on Saturday, was once again excellent conceding just 22 runs in his four overs while claiming two wickets.

Alzarri Joseph also picked up two wickets but was on the expensive side, conceding 43 runs in his four overs.

Full Scores:

MI Emirates 187-7 from 20 overs (Tom Banton 74, Nicholas Pooran 59, Gulbadin Naib 3-18, Olly Stone 2-31)

Dubai Capitals 161-6 from 20 overs (Shai Hope 101, Fazalhaq Farooqi 2-22, Alzarri Joseph 2-43).