MI New York stormed into the MLC 2025 final, thanks to a spectacular finishing act from Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran, knocking out the Texas Super Kings with a seven-wicket victory in Dallas.
Early Struggles in the Chase
Chasing a moderate target of 167, MI New York were rocked early as Quinton de Kock and Michael Bracewell fell cheaply inside seven overs. Despite Monank Patel anchoring the innings with 49 off 39 balls, the run rate crept dangerously above 12 per over. Pooran also started cautiously, scoring at just about a run a ball.
“We needed someone to take charge,” Pollard later remarked, recalling the pressure when he arrived at the crease with the scoreboard reading just 83 for 3 after 13 overs.
Pollard wasted no time. Facing his first delivery from Noor Ahmad, he launched it 100 meters over long-off to signal his intent. Still, Texas Super Kings kept their grip on the match, maintaining an asking rate of 12.5 after 16 overs.
Pollard Turns the Game
The decisive moment came when Zia-ul-Haq was handed the ball. Pollard pounced, hammering 6, 4, 4, 2, 6 in a devastating over worth 23 runs. That burst swung the game dramatically in MI New York’s favor.
“Those big overs are what you play for,” Pollard said with a smile after his unbeaten 47 off 22 balls.
Pooran calmly sealed the chase with his third six, ending on 52 from 36 deliveries. The pair walked off together, having scripted a memorable turnaround for MI New York, who had only managed three wins in the league stage and had to come through the Eliminator and Qualifier 2.
Du Plessis and Hosein Keep TSK Alive
Earlier, Texas Super Kings posted 166 for 5, mainly because Faf du Plessis fought a lone battle with a composed 59 from 42 balls. While the rest of the batting lineup collapsed, du Plessis held firm until the 13th over.
After he fell, Akeal Hosein (55 not out off 32) and Donovan Ferreira (32* off 20) shared a rapid 81-run stand to lift TSK from 85 for 5 to a competitive total. For a while, their recovery gave TSK hope of reaching the final. But Pollard and Pooran dashed those ambitions with a stunning finish 19 overs later.
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