How MI New York clinched the MLC 2023 title with a stunning chase led by Nicholas Pooran
The Major League Cricket (MLC) is a new professional Twenty20 cricket league in the United States, featuring six franchises from different cities. The first edition of the MLC was held in July 2023, with matches played at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas and the Church Street Park in Morrisville, North Carolina. The league attracted some of the best players from around the world, as well as local talent from the USA.
The final of the MLC 2023 was played on July 30, 2023, between Seattle Orcas and MI New York. Seattle Orcas, who finished at the top of the table after the league stage, had qualified for the final by beating Texas Super Kings in the Qualifier 1. MI New York, who finished fourth in the table, had made their way to the final by winning two knockout matches against Washington Freedom and Texas Super Kings in the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 respectively.
The final was a high-scoring thriller, with both teams displaying their batting prowess and entertaining the crowd. MI New York won the toss and elected to field first, hoping to restrict Seattle Orcas to a manageable total. However, Seattle Orcas had other plans, as they posted a formidable score of 183 for 8 in their 20 overs.
The main contributor for Seattle Orcas was their captain and opener Quinton de Kock, who scored a brilliant 87 off 52 balls, with nine fours and four sixes. He was well supported by Shubham Ranjane, who made 29 off 16 balls, and Dasun Shanaka, who smashed 21 off seven balls. For MI New York, Rashid Khan was the most economical bowler, taking three wickets for just nine runs in his four overs.
MI New York had a daunting task ahead of them
MI New York had a daunting task ahead of them, as they needed to chase down 184 runs at over nine runs per over. They lost their opener Steven Taylor in the first over itself, as he was caught behind off Wayne Parnell. However, that was the only moment of joy for Seattle Orcas, as they witnessed a masterclass from MI New York’s stand-in captain Nicholas Pooran.
Pooran took charge of the chase from the second over onwards, and never looked back. He played one of the most sensational innings in T20 cricket history, scoring an unbeaten 137 off just 55 balls, with 10 fours and 13 sixes. He reached his fifty in just 16 balls, and his hundred in just 40 balls.
He single-handedly demolished the Seattle Orcas bowling attack, hitting them all over the park. He was ably assisted by David Brevis, who made 20 off 18 balls, and Tim David, who made 10 off nine balls. MI New York reached their target in just 16 overs, with seven wickets in hand.
Pooran’s innings was hailed as one of the best ever seen in T20 cricket, and he was deservedly named as the Player of the Match and the Player of the Series. He also became the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, with 388 runs in eight matches at an average of 77.60 and a strike rate of 223.84. He also hit the most sixes in the tournament, with 34.
MI New York’s victory was also a historic moment for their franchise owner Indiawin Sports, who also own Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). This was their second title of the year, after Mumbai Indians won the Women’s Premier League (WPL) earlier in March. Indiawin Sports had bought MI New York as part of their vision to expand their brand globally and promote cricket in different regions.
The MLC 2023 final was a fitting end to a successful inaugural season of the league, which showcased some high-quality cricket and attracted a lot of fans and sponsors. The league also provided a platform for many American players to showcase their skills and compete with international stars. The league is expected to grow bigger and better in the coming years, as more teams and venues are added to it.
