5:46pm This is Warriorz's third win in their last four games against MIE, and this one gets them off the mark in ILT20 2025-26. For a large part of their batting innings, and even after it finished, it felt as if they had fallen short. But they have made superb work of the total, and despite a late onslaught by Pooran, they keep their calm to surpass ADKR on the points table and sit on fifth.

Warriorz's bowlers saw what worked for MIE towards the end overs of the first innings - slower length balls and variations. They used it smartly in the chase to wrest back control from MIE. Remember, they had a 68-run opening stand with Bairstow and Waseem off the blocks quickly. But once Raza came on, he cut off the momentum and used spin well to reduce MIE to 101 for 5. The margin of loss would have been bigger if not for some big blows from Pooran and Tajinder. Charles showed earlier in the day a thing or two about pacing the innings on this surface, Pooran almost did the same, only to be denied at the end.

Kieron Pollard, MIE captain:"It was a good score, was a good wicket throughout. Have no qualms about them making 175, it was a game we should have finished. After soaking up a few dots, we should have pushed on. Need to talk about it. We have been the slowest in overs 7-15, not all doom. Losing by six runs, result didn't go our way but we came back. We still had Kamindu. Need to look at how we play the middle overs. We shouldn't go helter-skelter and lose a lot of wickets in the middle overs."

Sikandar Raza, Warriorz captain and Player of the Match:"Pretty confident. Last two games, we just lost. Knew we were there and thereabouts. Needed a bit of clarity and courage. TKC and Jono did well. Role TKC played was crucial. Feedback we got that it was a slow surface, so if aimed for 195 and got only 160, we would have fallen short. When team wins, everything is better. Crunch game, we crossed the line, I am glad. Juni kept asking if he was coming on. I kept telling him he is allowed to bowl as soon as he came on. Didn't think we were upto the mark on the field. When TKC pulled that catch off, it was the magic we needed on the field."

That's all we have from Abu Dhabi for today, but the ILT20 action continues in Dubai, where Dubai Capitals take on Desert Vipers. Rashad has the wheel there, do hop over. Till the next time, take care, ciao!