NEW DELHI: Skipper Kieron Pollard’s destructive hitting, following stellar performances from the spinners, helped MI Emirates seal a spot in the top two of the ILT20 with a dominant eight-wicket victory over the Dubai Capitals.

The MI Emirates spinners maintained their excellent form, with Allah Ghazanfar taking 3/28 and Shakib Al Hasan delivering a tight 1/11 in four overs, keeping the Capitals restricted to 122/8.

Pollard’s unbeaten 44 off 31 balls, featuring a four and five sixes, led the chase as MI Emirates notched their fifth consecutive win of the season. They will face Desert Viper in Qualifier 1 on December 30.

MI Emirates got off to a blazing start as openers Muhammad Waseem (27) and Andre Fletcher (21 off 30) added 33 runs inside the first three overs. They were well positioned at 59/2 at the halfway stage.

From there, the chase remained under control. Pollard anchored the innings with Tom Banton in the middle overs, before turning the momentum decisively in the 14th over.

Pollard launched Waqar Salamkheil for 30 runs in a single over, leaving just 10 runs required from the final five overs. MI Emirates comfortably completed the chase, with an unbeaten 67-run partnership off 43 balls between Pollard and Banton.

After choosing to field, MI Emirates applied early pressure. Shakib struck in the fourth over to dismiss Shayan Jahangir, followed by Ghazanfar removing Sediqullah Atal in the sixth over, leaving the Capitals at 35/2.

The situation worsened as Leus de Plooy (3) was run out and Dan Mousley claimed Rovman Powell (8) in the eighth over. Arab Gul also tightened the screws, trapping number-three Jordan Cox lbw, leaving the Capitals reeling at 53/5.

(With PTI Inputs)