Former Mumbai Indians (MI) and New Zealand batter Corey Anderson smashed 91 runs in 52 balls to take the San Francisco Unicorns to an unassailable target against MI New York at the Grand Prairie in Texas on Saturday (July 15) morning. His partnership of 129 runs in just 58 balls with Shadab Khan took their team from 50/4 to 215/5,
MI New York dominated the powerplay after opener Finn Allen's (10) fast start. Soon, four wickets fell as Matthew Wade (5), Marcus Stoinis (6) and Aaron Finch (9) fell cheaply courtesy of Trent Boult and Kagiso Rabada. But then came Corey Anderson, and soon after the complexion of the match changed completely.
Anderson's innings included 4 fours and 7 sixes, as he did not spare any of the bowlers. After their impressive starts, both Trent Boult and Kagiso Rabada could not keep up with Anderson's innings. He was also helped by his partner Shadab Khan, who is also in contention for the Pakistan T20I team captaincy.
Shadab hit 61 runs in just 30 balls, with 4 fours and 5 sixes to his name. He struck the ball at a rate of 203.33 and was the final wicket to fall for San Francisco with the score reading 179/5.
Anderson continued the onslaught and was then joined by another former MI batter Tajinder Singh. Tajinder hit 18 off 10, as he remained unbeaten with Anderson.
For MI New York, the start was in stark contrast. Despite losing Steven Taylor (0) and Monank Patel (8) early, with the score reading 13/2. But opener Dewald Brevis held on and forged a partnership with Nicholas Pooran. Their 51-run partnership off 38 balls was ended by Shadab Khan before Pooran himself departed after scoring 40 runs in 28 balls.
Kieron Pollard and Tim David then took the task on their shoulders. But unfortunately for them, their partnership of 60 runs in 36 balls was not enough to take them all the way. Pollard departed after scoring 48 runs in 27 balls but David remained unbeaten, scoring 53 off 27 balls as MI New York finished their innings on 193/5.
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