MI New York end MLC title defense

Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard both failed to perform as MI New York’s miserable defense of their Major League Cricket title ended with a seven-wicket defeat to Texas Super Kings in the eliminator match at Grand Prairie Stadium.

Sent in to bat, MI New York managed to rally a competitive 163 for eight from their allocated 20 overs after finding themselves struggling on 18 for two in the fourth over. 

Rashid Khan was the top scorer with 55 from 30 balls. Both Pooran and Pollard, on 8 and 6 respectively failed to make an impression.

In reply, South African Faf du Plessis belted 72 off 47 balls to lead the run chase, with fellow opener Devon Conway of New Zealand supporting with 51 off 43 balls and Australia Aaron Hardie finishing with an unbeaten 40 off 22 deliveries.

MI New York endured a poor start when they lost Dewald Brevis to the fourth ball of the game without a run on the board and then lost superstar Pooran, holing out to mid-on in the fourth over from medium pacer Marcus Stoinis (2-18).

Monank Patel, who struck 48 from 41 balls, had two key partnerships posting 49 for the third with opener Shayan Jahangir on 25 and a further 35 for the fourth wicket with Rashid Khan.

After Monank departed, Rashid Khan took control and posted a 53-run, fifth-wicket partnership with West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd who was on seven not out, to inspire momentum coming in at the end of the innings.

Super Kings never faltered in their response. Captain du Plessis stroked six fours and three sixes in a 101-run first-wicket partnership with Conway who blasted three fours and a six.

Hardie then entered and smacked three fours and two sixes in a 66-run, unbroken second-wicket partnership with Conway, as Super Kings reached their target with nine balls to spare.