MI New York (MINY) had the last laugh in a thrilling chase to eke out a narrow two-wicket win over San Francisco Unicorns (SFU) in the Elimimator match of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025. This hard-fought win propelled MINY into the Challenger round, where they will lock horns with Texas Super Kings for a coveted spot in the MLC final on July 12.
MI New York storm into MLC 2025 Challenger with thrilling win over San Franciso Unicorns
Chasing a target of 132 runs in Dallas, MINY benefited from solid opening contributions from Quinton de Kock, who scored 33 off 24 balls, and Monank Patel, who contributed 33 off 32 balls. The pair put together a 43-run partnership, laying a decent foundation for the chase. However, the innings took a dramatic turn when a collapse was triggered by SFU skipper Matthew Short, who took 3 wickets for 22 runs, and spinner Hassan Khan, who claimed 4 wickets for 30 runs. This sudden loss of wickets saw MINY stumble from a comfortable 81 for 2 to a precarious 108 for 8. Key batsmen like Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard fell cheaply, and a double blow in the 15th over resulted in the dismissals of Michael Bracewell and Heath Richards. With 26 runs required off the final 24 balls and only two wickets remaining, the advantage seemed to have swung in favor of the Unicorns.
However, Trent Boult, primarily known for his prowess with the new ball, stepped up unexpectedly to turn the tide of the game. He displayed remarkable composure and clean hitting, scoring a vital unbeaten 22 off just 13 balls. His innings included two consecutive sixes that dramatically shifted the momentum back in MINY's favor. Alongside Nosthush Kenjige, who held his nerve at the other end with an unbeaten 3 off 5 balls, Boult guided MI New York to a thrilling victory with three balls to spare.
Earlier in the match, the San Francisco Unicorns were bundled out for a total of 131 runs in 19.1 overs after a disastrous start that saw them reduced to 16 for 5. A late aggressive innings from Xavier Bartlett, who scored a quickfire 44 off 24 balls, helped them reach a somewhat respectable total. Rushil Ugarkar, who took 3 wickets for 19 runs, and Trent Boult, who also impressed with the ball taking 2 wickets for 19 runs, were the standout performers for MINY with the ball. Despite a late fightback from SFU, Trent Boult's unexpected heroics with the bat secured the victory for MI New York, knocking out the Unicorns and defeating them for the first time in MLC history, thus sending MINY one step closer to clinching the MLC 2025 title.