MLC 2023: Nicholas Pooran blazes in MI New York’s big win over Washington Freedom | Cricket News – Times of India

Now placed third on the points table with four points, MI New York showcased a dominant performance, while Washington Freedom continue to be No. 2 on the table with six points.
Texas Super Kings and San Francisco Unicorns also have four points but the New York side is ahead on net run-rate.

MI New York’s bowlers put up an impressive display, restricting Washington Freedom to 160/6 in their allotted overs. In response, the Kieron Pollard-led team chased down the target in just 15.3 overs, thanks to Nicholas Pooran‘s blazing 33-ball 62 not out.

The opening batter, Monank Patel (44 off 29 balls), provided a solid start for MI New York, striking two boundaries and a six against Saurabh Netravalkar, helping the team reach 47/0 in four overs. However, Akeal Hosein’s disciplined bowling created pressure on Patel, and he eventually dismissed him.
Pooran emerged as the match-winner for MI New York, taking charge after smashing three sixes and a four against Obus Pienaar in the ninth over.
Following Shayan Jahangir’s (29 off 21) dismissal in the twelfth over, captain Pollard (21 not out off 10 balls) partnered with Pooran for an unbeaten 53-run stand off just 26 balls, guiding MI New York to a comfortable victory.
Earlier in the day, MI New York won the toss and elected to field.

Washington Freedom’s opening batsmen, Matthew Short and Andries Gous, started aggressively, hitting four boundaries off Trent Boult in the second over. However, Rashid Khan’s skillful bowling halted Washington Freedom’s momentum, dismissing Gous for 20 runs off 15 balls in the fifth over.
Subsequently, the team lost the wickets of Short (14) and Mukhtar Ahmed (18) in quick succession, finding themselves in a difficult position at 57/3.
Captain Moises Henriques (32 off 30 balls) and Glenn Phillips (47 off 35) then came together to form a crucial 77-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Their brilliant batting display, including four boundaries and three sixes, propelled Washington Freedom to 134/4 in 18.1 overs. With late contributions from Obus Pienaar (8 not out), Akeal Hosein (8), and Marco Jansen (8 not out), Washington Freedom managed to post a competitive total on the board.

However, MI New York’s strong batting performance, led by Pooran’s explosive innings, ensured a convincing victory, bringing them closer to securing a spot in the playoffs.
Brief Scores: MI New York 161/2 (Nicholas Pooran 62*, Monank Patel 44, Akeal Hosein 1-9) vs Washington Freedom 160/6 (Glenn Phillips 47, Moises Henriques 32, Kieron Pollard 2-33)
Watch live MLC action on Willow
(You can book your MLC tickets HERE)