LA Knight Riders scored 130 in 19.1 overs, where as MI New York scored 134/6 in 17 overs.
So, finally MI New York beat LA Knight Riders by four wickets.
MI New York’s star players delivered crucial performances in a must-win game, securing their place in the MLC 2024 playoffs.
Rashid Khan’s 3 for 22 helped restrict LAKR to 130 runs, and MINY needed to chase this total in 18.2 overs to advance on Net Run Rate.
Nicholas Pooran (35 off 28) and Kieron Pollard (33* off 12) played pivotal roles, ensuring the target was reached with 18 balls to spare.
From the start, MINY looked determined after choosing to bowl on a sluggish pitch.
Trent Boult dismissed Sunil Narine in his first over, and although Jason Roy started well with a six and a couple of boundaries, MINY also took the wicket of Unmukt Chand during a 45-run Power Play.
Chand’s dismissal was crucial as spin was expected to play a significant role in the middle overs.
Rashid Khan made an early impact with a googly that dismissed Roy, and Kenjige removed David Miller, leaving LAKR struggling at 62 for 4 at the halfway stage.
The two MINY spinners combined for 5 for 44 in eight overs, causing LAKR’s innings to falter.
Kenjige dismissed Saif Badar, while Rashid bowled out Nitish Kumar and trapped Spencer Johnson LBW.
At 101 for 9, LAKR appeared set for a sub-par total, but an aggressive cameo from Andre Russell (35 off 21) lifted them to a more competitive score.
Russell hit two back-to-back boundaries off Rashid, then added two fours and a six off Boult.
Despite Russell’s efforts, Kieron Pollard’s clever short ball in the final over dismissed him, keeping LAKR at 130.
In response, MINY started well with Dewald Brevis hitting five boundaries in a 19-ball 27.
However, both Brevis and Ruben Clinton fell at the end of a 36-run Power Play.
By halfway through their chase, MINY was 55 for 3, needing 76 runs off 50 balls.
Pooran, who had scored just 15 off his first 16 balls, accelerated by hitting Narine for a big six and followed up with a six and a four off Russell.
Pollard then sealed the win with a brutal attack on Spencer Johnson, including three consecutive sixes.
Pollard’s unbeaten 33 off 12 balls ensured MINY’s qualification and kept their title defense on track.
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