DALLAS: Faf du Plessis stood out with a blistering 72-run knock as Texas Super Kings defeated MI New York by nine wickets in the Eliminator of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 on Wednesday.
MI New York while batting first posted 163-8, which Texas Super Kings chased down with ease in 18.3 overs.
Faf du Plessis led the chase with his quick-fire knock, with support from Devon Conway as they posted a 101-run opening stand in 12.3 overs to keep the Super Kings in command.
The former South African captain scored 72 runs from 47 balls, laced with six boundaries and three sixes before Nosthush Kenjige ended his brilliant knock.
The unfazed Conway was joined by Aaron Hardie and together they steered the side to a comfortable victory with nine balls to spare.
Conway played a composed knock of 51 runs from 43 balls with three fours and one six, while Hardie struck 40 off 22, featuring three boundaries and two sixes.
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Earlier, Zia-ul-Haq gave the Super Kings a good start with the ball as he Dewald Brevis in the first over.
Shayan Jahangir played a scratchy 26-run knock from 23 balls before Monank Patel played a similar knock, scoring 48 off 41.
However, Rashid Khan helped the team to post a fighting total with a quick 55-run innings from 30 balls with the help of four boundaries and four sixes.
Khan got out in the penultimate over before Hardie bowled a brilliant last over.
Kieron Pollard and Heath Richards fell on back-to-back deliveries, but Hardie missed his hat-trick as Trent Boult got run out on the last ball of the innings.
Hardie and Marcus Stoinis picked two wickets each for the Super Kings, while Zia-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad and Dwayne Bravo bagged one each.
Texas Super Kings will next face the loser of the MLC 2024 Qualifier between San Francisco Unicorns and Washington Freedom.
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