MLC 2025: Pollard’s Power-Hitting Secures Final Spot for MI New York
Kieron Pollard produced a vintage power-hitting performance to take MI New York into the final of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, stunning the Texas Super Kings in Dallas with a sensational unbeaten 47 off 22 balls. The all-rounder’s late assault sealed a thrilling chase and booked MI New York a spot in the title clash against Washington Freedom.
Chasing 167, MI New York were in deep trouble early on. Quinton de Kock and Michael Bracewell were dismissed cheaply inside the first seven overs, and at the end of the 10th over, they were crawling at 64/2. Monank Patel tried to hold the innings together with a gritty 49 off 39 balls but struggled for momentum and was dismissed in the 13th over, leaving MI New York at a precarious 83/3.
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Nicholas Pooran, who had joined Monank earlier, also found it hard to accelerate initially. It was at this moment that Kieron Pollard walked in and changed the mood instantly. He announced his arrival by sending his very first ball, bowled by Noor Ahmad, soaring 100 metres down the ground for a six—an early sign of what was to follow.
Despite Pollard’s aggressive intent, the equation was still tough with MI New York needing 50 runs off the last four overs. Then came the turning point in the 17th over when Zia-ul-Haq was handed the ball. Pollard unleashed a brutal assault, smashing 6, 4, 4, 2, 6 in five consecutive deliveries. That single over went for 23 runs and decisively shifted the momentum.
The chase from there was wrapped up clinically. Pooran completed a composed half-century, remaining unbeaten on 52 from 36 balls, while Pollard stayed on 47 not out. Together, they finished the job with an over to spare, ending the innings at 169/3 and securing MI New York’s place in the final.
This win marked a remarkable comeback for MI New York, who had won just three out of ten matches in the league stage and had to claw their way through the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 to reach the final.
Earlier, Texas Super Kings had posted a competitive total of 166/5 thanks to a late recovery after a shaky start. Their innings began to falter when top-order batters Smit Patel, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Shubham Ranjane, and Marcus Stoinis all failed to deliver, leaving the team at 85/5 after 13 overs. Captain Faf du Plessis held the innings together with a steady 59 off 42 balls before falling.
A late flourish from Akeal Hosein and Donovan Ferreira gave TSK a much-needed boost. Their 81-run partnership in just 45 balls lifted the team to a strong total. Hosein played the aggressor, smashing 55 off 32, while Ferreira chipped in with 32 from 20 deliveries.
MI New York will now face Washington Freedom in the MLC 2025 final with momentum on their side.
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