Cricholic
Boult leads MI New York to thrilling Eliminator win 🔥
Boult was the match-winner MI New York needed under pressure. The left-arm seamer turned finisher with a composed 22* off just 9 balls, including two massive sixes in the 19th over, to help his team chase down 134 in a tense Eliminator clash against San Francisco Unicorns in Dallas on July 9.
The two-wicket win, their first-ever over SFU in MLC history, sees MINY advance to the Challenger where they’ll take on Texas Super Kings.
Boult and Kenjige destroy Unicorns early 💥
San Francisco Unicorns were rocked early after losing the toss. Boult struck first, then Kenjige joined in, and the Unicorns were quickly reduced to 16/5 in under five overs. Hassan Khan was run out without scoring, capping off a disastrous start for Matthew Short’s side.
Boult’s control and movement with the new ball set the tone, and Kenjige kept piling on the pressure with sharp left-arm spin. SFU couldn’t find any rhythm in the PowerPlay as MI New York dominated.
Bartlett’s counterpunch lifts SFU to 133 💪
Just when it looked like SFU might fold below 100, Xavier Bartlett played a bold counterattacking innings. His 24-ball 44 featured timely boundaries and aggressive running. Together with Brody Couch, he stitched a 59-run partnership for the 8th wicket, giving the Unicorns something to fight with.
Rushil Ugarkar eventually ended the stand and wrapped up the tail. His 3 for 19 was crucial in limiting SFU to 133, which still looked below par but defendable given the pressure of a knockout.
MINY start steady, collapse under spin pressure 😨
Chasing 134, MI New York got off to a steady start with openers Monank Patel and Quinton de Kock adding 37. Both scored 33, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries.
But the game turned after the halfway mark. Matthew Short dismissed both De Kock and Pooran in a double blow. Bartlett sent back Pollard, and then Hassan Khan struck gold. The left-arm spinner produced two double-wicket overs in succession, reducing MINY from 98/4 to 108/8 — a span of just 13 balls.
Suddenly, the Unicorns had the upper hand and seemed destined to complete a dramatic comeback.
Boult’s finishing touch silences SFU comeback 🔥
With the pressure mounting, Boult walked in at No. 9. MINY needed 25 off 22 balls, and the in-form Hassan Khan was still in the attack. But Boult remained calm and countered fire with fire.
In the 19th over, he smashed two colossal sixes over deep midwicket, both off Hassan, flipping the match once more. The calculated assault left MINY needing just 4 in the final over. Boult then guided the chase home with composed singles and smart running, ending unbeaten on 22*.
It was Boult’s calm under pressure that stood out most. With the ball, he’d already taken 2 for 19. With the bat, he showed why he’s one of the most reliable heads in global cricket.
📊 Brief Scores:
San Francisco Unicorns – 133 in 19.1 overs
(Xavier Bartlett 44; Rushil Ugarkar 3-19, Trent Boult 2-19)
MI New York – 134/8 in 19.3 overs
(Monank Patel 33, Quinton de Kock 33, Trent Boult 22*; Hassan Khan 4-30, Matthew Short 3-22)
Result: MI New York won by 2 wickets
