Kieron Pollard takes MI New York to doorstep of MLC 2025 playoffs with 6-run win over LA Knight Riders, Seattle Orcas all but out of tournament

MI franchises are never really out of the tournament, until and unless the last league stage match is played. MI New York captain Nicholas Pooran said it amidst a poor season, old guard Kieron Pollard proved it as they beat Los Angeles Knight Riders by six runs in a low-scoring game to almost book their Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 playoffs berth. With their third win of the tournament, followed by Seattle Orcas' 51-run defeat to Texas Super Kings, MI New York are likely to play in the eliminator clash on July 9.

Pollard leads the way for MI New York

In the first game of the double-header Saturday, MI New York managed to post a total of 142/9, thanks to Pollard's 36-ball half-century featuring one four and four sixes. Defending a target of 143, MI New York bowlers were right on the money. Andre Fletcher and Alex Hales struggled. Sherfane Rutherford fell to Pollard in the penultimate over whereas Chand was retired out for a 48-ball 59. 16 runs were needed in the last over but Andre Russell and Jason Holder could not take their team over the line and lost by six runs. 

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Selfless Du Plessis misses captaincy

In the second game, Texas Super Kings put on 188/4 on the board after Seattle Orcas captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and opted to bowl. Selfless captain Faf du Plessis retired himself out at a score of 91 runs from 52 balls before the last over. Shubham Ranjane scored an unbeaten 41-ball 65 as Super Kings posted a challenging target. 

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Too dependent on Hetmyer, Milne grabs fifer

In the run chase, it was the same old story for Seattle Orcas. David Warner, Shayan Jahangir faltered. Kyle Mayers departed for a 28-ball 35. All eyes were on Shimron Hetmyer but he departed for a 16-ball 26. Seattle Orcas ended up getting bowled out for 137 in the penultimate over and lost the match by 51 runs. Adam Milne starred with a five-wicket haul, including three in his last over. Spinners Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein took two wickets each.

Glimmer of hope for Seattle Orcas, MI New York have their task cut out

MI New York sit at the fourth position of the points table with three wins from nine games. Meanwhile, Seattle Orcas are at the fifth position with seven losses from 10 games at a net run rate (NRR) of -0.1842. They can only qualify if Washington Freedom beat MI New York by a huge margin which is unrealistic. MI New York's NRR is -0.399 and is unlikely to go below Seattle Orcas. If MI New York beat Washington Freedom, they will face they in the eliminator as well.