back icon

News

ILT20 2025: Tom Banton becomes first centurion for MI Emirates

article_imageNEWS
Last updated on 19 Jan 2025 | 03:05 PM
Google News IconFollow Us
ILT20 2025: Tom Banton becomes first centurion for MI Emirates

On his way to his maiden century in the league, Banton shared a record-breaking stand with impact player Kusal Perera

England’s Tom Banton became the first centurion for the MI Emirates team in the International League T20 (ILT20)’s history when he smashed an unbeaten 102 off just 55 balls on January 19 (Sunday) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah. 

Prior to Banton, three other players- Shai Hope (Dubai Capitals), Alex Hales (Desert Vipers) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Sharjah Warriors) had scored centuries in the ILT20. 

MI Emirates, a sister franchise of the Mumbai Indians of the Indian Premier League (IPL), beat the home team, Sharjah Warriors, by nine wickets after a record-breaking 157-run stand between Banton and Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera, who was the impact player. 

Their unbeaten 157-run stand was not only the best ever for the Emirates but also the second-highest in the entire league’s history. It fell just five short of the highest ILT20 stand of 164 between Colin Munro and Alex Hales of Desert Vipers, which was created in the 2023 edition of the league. 

Apart from Banton’s 102, Perera played a superb knock to notch up his maiden fifty (56 off 42 balls) in the league. All thanks to these two batters, the Emirates side chased down 177 with 2.2 overs to spare. 

Earlier, Fazalhaq Farooqi, riding on the high of a great first match spell, where he took a five-wicket haul, continued his impressive run in the tournament, picking 4/24 in his four overs. 

After their second win in the tournament, the Emirates have four points and are second in the points table.

Related Article