MLC 2025: Trent Boult Stars with Bat and Ball as MI New York Edge Out San Francisco Unicorns in MLC Eliminator Thriller
Trent Boult delivered a match-winning all-round performance to guide MI New York to a dramatic two-wicket victory over San Francisco Unicorns in the rain-affected eliminator of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 at Grand Prairie Stadium on Thursday. With the win, MI New York secured a place in Qualifier 2 against the Texas Super Kings.
Chasing a modest target of 132, MI New York appeared in control early on, ending the powerplay at 37 without loss. However, momentum shifted quickly when Matthew Short dismissed Quinton de Kock and skipper Nicholas Pooran in the same over, jolting the top order. Monank Patel tried to anchor the innings alongside Michael Bracewell but fell for 33 when Short returned for his second spell.
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The middle order struggled to cope with the mounting pressure as Xavier Bartlett sent Kieron Pollard packing, before Hassan Khan turned the game on its head. The left-arm spinner triggered a major collapse by dismissing Bracewell and Heath Richards in one over, followed by another double-strike in his next, removing Tajinder Singh and Tristan Luus. From a strong position at 98/4, MI New York found themselves at 108/8, still needing 24 runs with only the tail to follow.
Just as the Unicorns looked set to pull off a stunning comeback, Trent Boult stepped up once again—this time with the bat. He partnered with Nosthush Kenjige in a gritty 9th-wicket stand. With 12 needed from the final over, Boult launched back-to-back sixes over long-on to seal the win with three balls to spare. His composed knock of 22 not out under pressure became the deciding factor in the low-scoring thriller.
Earlier, Boult had made an impact with the ball, dismantling San Francisco’s top order with a lethal spell during the powerplay. Kenjige started the damage by removing Matthew Short, followed by Boult striking twice in quick succession to dismiss Tim Seifert and Jake Fraser-McGurk. Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Hassan Khan also fell cheaply, as the Unicorns collapsed to 21 for 5 in just five overs.
Cooper Connolly, Hammad Azam, and Brody Couch offered brief resistance in the middle overs before Rushil Ugarkar removed both Azam and Couch. Xavier Bartlett, coming in at No. 7, was the only standout batter for the Unicorns, hitting four sixes in a valuable 24-ball 44 to lift the total to 131 before they were bowled out in 19.3 overs.
Boult’s exceptional contribution with both bat and ball earned him the Player of the Match award. His final figures of 2 for 19 with the ball, followed by a calm 22 not out, were crucial in MI New York’s narrow win.
Match Summary:
- San Francisco Unicorns 131 all out in 19.3 overs (Xavier Bartlett 44, Cooper Connolly 23, Brody Couch 19; Rushil Ugarkar 3/19, Trent Boult 2/19, Nosthush Kenjige 2/43)
- MI New York 132/8 in 19.3 overs (Quinton de Kock 33, Monank Patel 33, Trent Boult 22*; Hassan Khan 4/30, Matthew Short 3/22)
- MI New York won by 2 wickets with 3 balls to spare.
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