Thank you so much, everyone, who followed the game and sent comments! We'll be back tomorrow for the second Qualifier. For now, on behalf of Binoy George, this is Rvel Zahid waving goodbye

Akeal Hosein, Player of the Match (2/13): I mean we have to do what we have to do, right? (on coming back from Australia to rejoin MI Emirates). Just about trying to get accustomed as fast as possible and put in as much recovery as possible on your off days. The last two games played here was maybe like 10 days ago, thought it would be a green surface...came today, first ball spun so I said I am going to run with that today.

That was a high-intensity game where MI Emirates strategically outsmarted Gulf Giants and exploited the conditions well by relying predominantly on spin. The decision from James Vince to bat first backfired as Emirates spinners spun a web around the batters. Viyaskanth, the supersub, took three wickets, Hosein struck on the first ball with a beauty to dismiss Vince, Rohid got one wicket, and Salamkheil, consistent as ever, chipped in with two scalps as well. DJ Bravo was economical with his bag of tricks; amazing how he is still going strong in this format. 164 wasn't an imposing total but enough on the wicket. One big knock from any of those top-order batters from Giants could have pushed the game closer, but it was not their day and their progress was beset by frequent loss of wickets. They'll have one more opportunity to make it to the final in the second Qualifier against Dubai Capitals tomorrow. That is the privilege of a side that finishes in the top two positions in this tournament.