Ton-up Nicholas Pooran propels MI New York to win inaugural MLC title

DALLAS: MI New York captain Nicholas Pooran’s unbeaten century in the run chase powered his side to win the inaugural edition of the Major League Cricket (MLC).

In the first final of the first edition of the MLC, MI New York handed a seven-wicket thrashing to Seattle Orcas.

Set to chase a massive 184, MI New York completed the run chase in just 16 overs, thanks to a berserk 137 by Nicholas Pooran.

MI New York had a contrasting start to the run chase as they lost their opener Steven Taylor for nought in the first over.

Pooran, coming out to bat at number three, soon launched recovery as he stitched a one-sided 62-run partnership with Shayan Jahangir (10) before the latter perished in the fifth over.

Pooran continued to dominate the Orcas’ bowlers with belligerent hitting and was involved in another crucial partnership for MI New York, adding 75 runs for the third wicket with Dewald Brevis, who could score 20 from 18 deliveries before getting run out in the 13th over.

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Nicholas Pooran’s onslaught continued after Brevis’s dismissal and he soon muscled his side to MLC glory in 16 overs, receiving minor support from Tim David, who scored an unbeaten 10.

Pooran top-scored for MI New York with an unbeaten century in the MLC final. His 55-ball 137 featured 10 boundaries and 13 sixes.

For the Orcas, Wayne Parnell and Imad Wasim could pick up a wicket apiece.

Put into bat first in the MLC final, Seattle Orcas registered a commendable total of 183/9 on the board with Quinton de Kock leading the way with a brilliant half-century.

The opening batter top-scored for the Orcas with a 52-ball 87, laced up with nine boundaries and four sixes.

Besides him, Shubham Ranjane (29 off 16) and Dwaine Pretorius (21 off seven) were the notable run-getters while the rest made meagre contributions.

Rashid Khan and Trent Boult spearheaded the MI New York bowling attack with three wickets each while Steven Taylor and David Wiese made one scalp each.

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