Qualifier 1 did not unfold as we hoped, with MI Emirates emerging victorious over our Gulf Giants by 45 runs. Their stellar performance earned them a well-deserved spot in the Finals, while we must regroup ahead of Qualifier 2 against the Dubai Capitals in our pursuit to defend the DP World ILT20 title.

Opting to bowl first, our debutant Daniel Worrall made an impressive entry by dismantling MI Emirates' top order with three crucial wickets. Worrall's spell of 3/15 in four overs stood out, but Nicholas Pooran and Dwayne Bravo's contributions helped MI Emirates recover. Tim David and Kieron Pollard then capitalized on the momentum, pushing MI Emirates to a challenging total of 163. Blessing Muzarabani and Zuhaib Zubair also showcased their skills with the ball.

Our batting faced setbacks early on, losing our skipper James Vince off the first ball. Despite Usman Khan's resilience in the middle overs, his dismissal came at a crucial juncture. Chris Jordan's late onslaught provided some hope, but ultimately we fell short. Akeal Hosein and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth were sensational for the MI Emirates and they further compounded our challenges.

While the loss was disappointing, we found positives to take away from the game. Worrall's promising debut, along with the noteworthy performances of Zubair and Muzarabani offered encouraging signs. We are determined to come back stronger in Qualifier 2 against the Dubai Capitals on Thursday. With renewed focus and determination, we aim to reclaim our winning form and keep our title defense hopes alive in the DP World ILT20.