Cricholic
Pollard brilliance lifts MI New York into MLC 2025 final
Pollard brilliance stole the show as MI New York pulled off a stunning 7-wicket victory over Texas Super Kings to reach the MLC 2025 final. Remarkably, this came after a miserable start to their campaign, where they had lost six of their first seven matches.
Understandably, captain Nicholas Pooran couldn’t believe what had just unfolded.
“Not sure how we got to the final, but we are in the final now.”
As a result of their turnaround, MI New York are now into their second final in just three seasons.
TSK collapse after positive opening
Initially, Texas Super Kings looked in control. Smit Patel struck early boundaries, while Faf du Plessis punished Luus in the fourth over with a six and a four. However, the momentum shifted rapidly.
Tristan Luus and Rushil Ugarkar struck key blows in the Powerplay, reducing TSK to 43/3. That collapse placed enormous pressure on the middle order.
Even though Du Plessis was dropped by Pollard on 25, he continued to fight and compiled a composed 59. Yet, partners kept falling at the other end. Stoinis, for example, struggled for fluency and holed out in the 11th over.
Later in the innings, when Du Plessis fell in the 15th, MINY seemed to have control. Nevertheless, Akeal Hosein unleashed a brutal assault at the death, slamming three sixes off Pollard and racing to 55 off 22*. Thanks to his fireworks, TSK reached 166/5.
Monank anchors before Pollard brilliance takes over
The chase didn’t begin smoothly for MI New York. De Kock fell early to Zia-ul-Haq, while Bracewell failed to make an impact against Noor Ahmad.
Despite the early blows, Monank Patel held the innings together. Admittedly, he was lucky—dropped twice—but he capitalized, rotating strike well and keeping the scoreboard ticking. His 49 off 37 balls ensured MINY remained in the chase.
By the time Monank was dismissed in the 13th over, the run rate had climbed. With 50 required off 24 balls, the match was finely poised.
Pollard brilliance changes the game in death overs
At this point, Pollard brilliance came to life.
Suddenly, he launched into Zia-ul-Haq, smashing 22 runs in five balls with effortless power. This blitz not only reduced the equation drastically but also silenced TSK’s confidence.
Meanwhile, Nicholas Pooran stayed calm and calculated. In the next over, he punished Milne for a six and a four, keeping the momentum in MI’s favor. Consequently, the required runs dropped quickly.
In the 19th over, Pollard and Pooran combined for 19 runs off Stoinis, wrapping up the chase with six balls to spare. Their dominance in the final overs left TSK stunned.
MINY set for epic final clash with Washington Freedom
As a result of this win, MI New York now face Washington Freedom in the MLC 2025 final on Sunday. From bottom of the table to title contenders, their journey has been nothing short of inspirational.
Notably, the combination of Pollard brilliance, Pooran’s composure, and the emergence of young stars like Luus and Ugarkar gives MINY momentum heading into the decider.
Can they complete one of the greatest comebacks in MLC history?
🔢 Match Summary
Texas Super Kings – 166/5 (20 overs)
Faf du Plessis 59, Akeal Hosein 55
Tristan Luus 3/35, Rushil Ugarkar 2/31
MI New York – 172/3 (19 overs)
Nicholas Pooran 52, Monank Patel 49
Akeal Hosein 1/11
Result: MI New York won by 7 wickets
