Veteran England batter Jonny Bairstow played a match-defining knock as MI Emirates pulled off a stunning seven-run victory over Dubai Capitals in an ILT20 clash on Tuesday.

Defending a modest total of 137 for eight, MI Emirates held their nerve in the closing stages to secure their third win of the season, moving to six points and climbing to third place on the points table.

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MI Emirates made a steady start after being sent in, with Muhammad Waseem and Bairstow prioritising stability during the powerplay. The opening pair added 40 runs in the first six overs, with Waseem contributing 17 off 19 balls before falling to David Willey in the seventh over.

Bairstow then found support in Nicholas Pooran, with the pair adding 48 runs for the second wicket. The right-hander provided the momentum, launching Mohammad Nabi for a boundary and two successive sixes on his way to a 30-ball half-century. Bairstow’s 67 came off 40 deliveries and featured eight fours and three sixes.

Dubai Capitals clawed their way back through Jawadullah, who swung the momentum with a superb spell. He removed Pooran and Bairstow in successive overs, conceding just seven runs and reducing MI Emirates to 99 for 3.

The middle order failed to capitalise, as Kieron Pollard (6) and Kamindu Mendis (10) fell cheaply to Haider Ali and Waqar Salamkheil. Mustafizur Rahman then ripped through the lower order, dismissing Tom Banton (5), Rashid Khan (1) and AM Ghazanfar (0) to leave MI Emirates struggling.

Romario Shepherd provided late impetus with an unbeaten 18 off 10 balls, striking a six and a four to help MI Emirates reach 137 for 8.

In reply, Muhammad Rohid struck early to remove Leus du Plooy for 4, but Dubai Capitals counter-attacked through Shayan Jahangir and Jordan Cox. The duo added 51 runs inside the powerplay, with Jahangir smashing three sixes and Cox finding the boundary on three occasions.

Just as the Capitals appeared in control, Rashid Khan broke the stand by dismissing Jahangir for 34, triggering a slowdown in the chase. Powell joined Cox but struggled to lift the tempo, with the pair adding 25 runs before Rashid struck again to have Powell stumped in the 13th over.

Despite Cox’s resistance, the Capitals were left needing 30 runs from the final three overs. Naveen-ul-Haq delivered the decisive blows in the penultimate over, removing Cox and Mohammad Nabi in the space of three balls to derail the chase.

Dubai Capitals eventually fell seven runs short, handing MI Emirates a memorable win in a low-scoring thriller.