MORRISVILLE: Defending champions MI New York started from where they left off as they outclassed Seattle Orcas in the opening match of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 here on Friday.
In a rematch of the previous edition’s final, West Indies wicketkeeper batter Nicholas Pooran once again starred for MI New York.
The left-handed batter scored a quickfire half-century in the run-chase and single-handedly took his side home in the 15th over.
Pooran top-scored for New York with 37-ball 62 which featured seven fours and two sixes.
Besides him, only Tim David (12) made it to the double digits in the 109-run target.
Cameron Gannon bagged two wickets for the Orcas but leaked 40 runs in three overs while Nandre Burger and Zaman Khan picked one wicket apiece.
Earlier, a disciplined MI New York bowling attack booked Seattle Orcas for a meagre 108 despite an anchoring knock from Shubham Ranjane.
The all-rounder, who came out to bat after three overs when Orcas were reeling at 8/2, put up a decent fight.
Ranjane finally perished in the 16th over after scoring 31-ball 35, laced up with two fours and as many sixes. His dismissal brought Orcas down 83/7.
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Rashid Khan and Trent Boult led the bowling charge for MI New York in the MLC 2024 opener with three wickets each, followed by Kieron Pollard, who bagged two.
In the second match of the MLC 2024, Unmukt Chand’s quick half-century, followed by Ali Khan’s four-fer led Los Angeles Knight Riders to beat Texas Super Kings by 12 runs.
Batting first, the Knight Riders registered a formidable total of 162/7 in the allotted overs, courtesy of Chand’s 68. His 45-ball knock included six fours and three sixes.
Nitish Kumar played a supporting role with a 17-ball 26 in the middle phase.
Later, Ali Khan’s sensational bowling performance lifted the Knight Riders to defend the total despite Devon Conway’s half-century.
Conway top-scored for the Super Kings with a 39-ball 53, followed by Calvin Savage’s 29 which came off 18 balls.
MI New York made their way to the top of the MLC 2024 standings due to a superior net run-rate than Los Angeles Knight Riders.
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