On a balmy July eleventh night in Dallas, the stakes couldn’t have been greater as Texas Tremendous Kings (TSK) locked horns with MI New York (MINY) in Qualifier 2 of Main League Cricket 2025. With a ticket to the ultimate on the road, each groups introduced their A-game to Grand Prairie Stadium, however it was the power-packed MI New York aspect, led by Nicholas Pooran, that stormed into the ultimate with a medical seven-wicket win, chasing down 167 with an over to spare.
Nicholas Pooran tosses Marcus Stoinis for a 102 m huge six
The turning level of the chase, and arguably the second of the match, got here within the sixteenth over. Marcus Stoinis, normally dependable with the ball, delivered a fuller-length ball exterior off to Pooran. With nerves nonetheless lingering and the goal in sight, Pooran unleashed his signature beast mode. He cleared his entrance leg, met the ball with a clear swing, and despatched it hovering excessive and good-looking over large long-on. The ball traveled a jaw-dropping 102 meters, disappearing into the Dallas evening and electrifying the group. It was extra than simply six runs, it was an announcement of intent, a shot that calmed MINY nerves and set the tone for the ultimate push.
Pooran’s innings was a masterclass in composure and managed aggression. He completed unbeaten on 52 from 36 balls, peppering his knock with 4 boundaries and three sixes, together with that monstrous hit. The six not solely shifted momentum but in addition showcased why Pooran stays one among T20 cricket’s most feared finishers.
Right here’s the video:
There’s a purpose why Nicky P. is the MINY skipper 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/SjwhZuR7Ox
— Cognizant Main League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 12, 2025
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Kieron Pollard and Pooran energy MINY to the MLC 2025 closing
The match started with TSK opting to bat first, however their innings stuttered early, dropping three wickets within the powerplay. Faf du Plessis anchored the innings with a fluent 59 (42), whereas Akeal Hosein’s unbeaten 55 (32) supplied late impetus, pushing the whole to a aggressive 166/5. For MINY, Tristan Luus (3/35) and Rushil Ugarkar (2/31) had been the choose of the bowlers, holding the Texas lineup in verify throughout key phases.
MINY’s chase began shakily, dropping Quinton de Kock early. Monank Patel steadied the ship with a composed 49 (39), however when he fell at 83/3, the sport was finely balanced. Enter Kieron Pollard, who joined Pooran to kind a match-winning partnership. Pollard’s explosive 47* off 22 balls, that includes 4 boundaries and three sixes, earned him the Participant of the Match award. Collectively, the duo added an unbeaten 89 runs in simply 41 balls, dismantling the TSK assault with medical precision. The match circulation noticed MINY speed up after the fifteenth over, with each Pooran and Pollard switching gears. They reached the goal of 167 in 19 overs, sealing a dominant seven-wicket victory and reserving their spot within the MLC 2025 closing.
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