MI New York’s dream of championship glory in the 2025 Major League Cricket season is suddenly very real—and improbably alive.
The fourth-seeded team, written off after a nightmarish start to their campaign, surged into the final with a resounding seven-wicket victory over the Texas Super Kings in Qualifier 2 on Friday.
A pair of Caribbean titans—Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran—delivered a masterclass in pressure-hitting, launching MI New York past the Super Kings’ 166-5 with six balls to spare. In doing so, they capped a stunning turnaround from a team that lost six of its first seven games.
“Not sure how we got to the final, but we are in the final now,” admitted MI captain Pooran with a laugh after the game. And they’ll now face the red-hot Washington Freedom on Sunday for the championship.
Super Kings start solid, falter under mid-innings pressure
Put in to bat first, Texas Super Kings began with measured aggression. Smit Patel and Faf du Plessis laid a cautious platform, with the South African veteran shifting gears in the fourth over against Tristan Luus. However, MI NY’s bowlers struck swiftly—Luus and Rushil Ugarkar dismantled the top order, reducing Texas to 43 for 3 by the end of the powerplay.
Du Plessis, who was dropped on 25 by Pollard, went on to top-score with a composed 59, but lacked consistent support. Marcus Stoinis labored to find momentum and eventually succumbed to Ugarkar in the 11th over. It was only late in the innings that Texas found a spark—Akeal Hosein took a liking to Pollard’s medium pace, smashing three sixes, while Donovan Ferreira provided a few finishing touches.
Yet their final total of 166-5 felt just a touch below par—especially against an MI NY side known for its explosive lower order.
Monank’s grit, then fireworks from the Caribbean pair
MI New York’s chase didn’t begin ideally. Star wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock fell early to Zia ul Haq, and when Michael Bracewell was undone by Noor Ahmad after the powerplay, the Super Kings sensed a breakthrough.
But Monank Patel, dropped twice on 11 and 37, made Texas pay dearly. His pivotal 49-run knock steadied the innings and kept the chase on track. The real shift in tempo, however, came after Monank’s dismissal.
With 70-odd runs still required, Pollard and Pooran took command.
Pollard lit the fuse first, cracking a huge six off Noor before tearing into Zia ul Haq’s 17th over, from which he harvested 22 runs off five balls. The experienced all-rounder rolled back the years with brutal efficiency.
At the other end, Pooran joined the fun, lashing a boundary and a towering six off Adam Milne as MI New York charged ahead. They sealed the chase with style, taking 19 runs off Marcus Stoinis in the penultimate over, finishing at 172-3.
Pooran remained unbeaten on 52, while Pollard’s whirlwind 47 runs off 22 balls cameo earned him Player of the Match honors.
From rock bottom to the brink of glory
MI New York’s journey has been nothing short of cinematic. They began the season as underachievers, losing six of their first seven matches, only to claw their way into the playoffs with three wins in 10 games. Now, with momentum, confidence, and two in-form match-winners in Pollard and Pooran, they find themselves one win away from the MLC title.
“This team believed even when others didn’t,” said Pooran. “We just kept fighting, and now we have one more to go.”
Final bound: A date with the defending champs
Awaiting MI New York in Sunday’s final are the defending champions, Washington Freedom—a team that has looked ruthless all season. It’s a heavyweight battle lined with storylines, Caribbean firepower, and redemption arcs.
Will MI NY complete one of the most improbable turnarounds in MLC history? Or will Freedom secure back-to-back crowns?
One thing is certain: with Pollard and Pooran in this form, MI New York cannot be counted out.
 season is suddenly very real—and improbably alive.){kind=link}