In a thrilling encounter, MI New York secured a magnificent seven-wicket win over the Seattle Orcas to emerge as the champions of the inaugural Major League Cricket (MLC) held on Monday morning (IST). The star of the match was Nicholas Pooran, who delivered a breathtaking performance, scoring an unbeaten 137 runs off just 55 balls. The victory marks an incredible achievement for the MI New York team, as they chased down a target of 184 with 24 balls to spare.
Pooran’s Incredible Knock
Nicholas Pooran’s sensational innings was nothing short of spectacular, as he punished the Orcas’ bowlers with an array of shots, smashing 13 sixes and 10 fours during his time at the crease. His remarkable knock not only secured the victory for his team but also earned him the distinction of being the top run-scorer of the entire tournament. Adding to his accolades, Pooran also set a new record for the fastest half-century in the MLC’s first season, achieving the feat in just 16 balls.
Absence of Captain Pollard, No Problem for MI New York
Leading the MI New York side in the absence of Kieron Pollard, who was sidelined due to injury, Pooran expressed his pride in the team’s collective effort. Despite the absence of their captain and a few other key players, MI New York remained undeterred. Pooran lauded his team’s determination and their preparation leading up to the match. Confident in their abilities, the team executed their plans with precision, ensuring a convincing victory.
MI New York’s Dominant Bowling Display
Earlier in the day, MI New York won the toss and elected to field. Their bowlers delivered an impressive performance, restricting the Seattle Orcas to a competitive but gettable total of 183 runs. Rashid Khan was instrumental in dismissing Nauman Anwar early on, while Steven Taylor’s brilliant bowling accounted for Shehan Jayasuriya’s wicket. Dwaine Pretorius provided a valuable cameo to propel the Orcas’ score, but it was not enough to stave off MI New York’s dominant pursuit.
Pooran’s Reflection on the Victory
Nicholas Pooran, the standout performer of the tournament and the deserving recipient of the MLC Season 1 MVP title shared his thoughts on the victory. He highlighted the team’s focus on doing something special and credited each individual’s contribution towards achieving this milestone. Pooran also mentioned how the team encouraged him to bat freely and play his natural game, without the burden of captaincy, which evidently paid off in his extraordinary innings.
Wayne Parnell Acknowledges MI New York’s Brilliance
Although the Seattle Orcas fought valiantly, their captain, Wayne Parnell, acknowledged the brilliance of Nicholas Pooran and the MI New York team. Parnell praised Pooran’s impeccable batting and conceded that it seemed like the West Indian batsman wouldn’t miss a single ball throughout the match. Despite the loss, Parnell expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance throughout the first season of MLC and commended the organizers, owners, and management for making it a successful and exciting league.
Source: The Week
