155/7 (20.0)
CR : 7.75
157/6 (20.0)
CR : 7.85
MI London won by 2 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Richard Gleeson
2/29
What happened after the early wickets? Nicholas Pooran took charge. He struck 36 off 21 balls, with two fours and three sixes, keeping MI London moving at a brisk rate. Jason Roy added 26 from 21, and together they helped London push past the hundred mark. But Phoenix kept finding answers. Rehan Ahmed produced a massive breakthrough by removing Sam Curran for a duck, before later getting Roy as well. Pooran's dismissal at 56 balls left MI London four down. The innings had momentum, but the qualification equation demanded much more than momentum.
Let's rewind a bit...
How did MI London begin their innings? With intent. Plenty of it. They raced away to 48/2 after 25 balls, losing Will Jacks and James Vince but keeping the scoring rate high. Jacks made 11 off 7, while Vince blasted 22 off just 12 balls, including three fours and a six. Then came the first big blow. Tom Helm's slower ball removed Vince. MI London had the runs, but Phoenix had the wickets. The question was already clear - could London turn that fast start into the huge total they desperately needed?
How did MI London begin their innings? With intent. Plenty of it. They raced away to 48/2 after 25 balls, losing Will Jacks and James Vince but keeping the scoring rate high. Jacks made 11 off 7, while Vince blasted 22 off just 12 balls, including three fours and a six. Then came the first big blow. Tom Helm's slower ball removed Vince. MI London had the runs, but Phoenix had the wickets. The question was already clear - could London turn that fast start into the huge total they desperately needed?
1:55 AM IST, 9:25 PM LOCAL TIME: Cricket is not about how far you are ahead, but how bravely you hold your nerve when everything comes down to the final ball. What a dramatic, nerve-racking, and bittersweet finish at Edgbaston! MI London posted a strong 157/6 from their 100 balls, knowing they needed to win by at least 59 runs to qualify. Birmingham Phoenix chased hard and finished on 155/7. So, who had the last laugh? MI London did - by just two runs. But the victory was not enough for them to sneak into the playoffs.
Hero of the Match: Richard Gleeson
Richard Gleeson (POTM): "[Feelings on the win and season] Yeah, to win five games in a row and not qualify. It is disappointing, but that shows the strength of this competition. You have got to be on the top of your game all throughout and 30-40 runs can make a big difference.
[On losing the toss and not getting a chance to bowl first] Yeah, that's what we wanted to do. I have played here this year for Birmingham. We have scored 200 and bowled out opposition for 130. You know, it was still within our capabilities but it got very dewy towards the end. But all is well, ends well."
[On losing the toss and not getting a chance to bowl first] Yeah, that's what we wanted to do. I have played here this year for Birmingham. We have scored 200 and bowled out opposition for 130. You know, it was still within our capabilities but it got very dewy towards the end. But all is well, ends well."
Lowest Win Margin in Men’s Hundred (By Runs):
1 - Trent Rockets vs Manchester Super Giants, Manchester, 2024
2 - London Spirit vs Trent Rockets, Lord's, 2023
2 - MI London vs London Spirit, The Oval, 2023
2 - Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire, Southampton, 2023
2 - MI London vs Birmingham Phoenix, Birmingham, 2026, Tonight*
3 - London Spirit vs MI London, The Oval, 2022
3 - Sunrisers Leeds vs Trent Rockets, Nottingham, 2023
1 - Trent Rockets vs Manchester Super Giants, Manchester, 2024
2 - London Spirit vs Trent Rockets, Lord's, 2023
2 - MI London vs London Spirit, The Oval, 2023
2 - Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire, Southampton, 2023
2 - MI London vs Birmingham Phoenix, Birmingham, 2026, Tonight*
3 - London Spirit vs MI London, The Oval, 2022
3 - Sunrisers Leeds vs Trent Rockets, Nottingham, 2023
Sam Curran (MI London Captain): (On the campaign and finishing with a win) "Eight games, five wins is probably a fair assessment of where we're at. There were a couple of games where we just got over the line, so I guess you can look back at those in terms of run rate. In short tournament cricket, I think winning five games generally would normally be enough to get that Eliminator. But it shows how well the tournament went this year. It was really good that all the teams were fighting for those three spots. Today was a tricky one because the main thing we wanted was to win the game, but there were so many scenarios. I do think we needed that perfect game today, and unfortunately it wasn't there. It's really pleasing to finish with a win.
(On the pressure of the qualification scenario) It's a little bit tricky. I spoke to the group beforehand, and it's all about going out today and starting the game as we're going to win it, then allowing ourselves and giving ourselves that chance to earn the right to be in a position to push for the run rate. Birmingham bowled really well. Ideally, we wanted 200 there and to try and defend 140, and then we probably would have bowled, I guess. That's the natural thing to do. But we can look back at so many different scenarios.
(On the standard of The Hundred this season) Absolutely. Naturally, with four overseas players and the format, I feel like people are understanding it a bit better in terms of us players. We're six years into it now, so the teams are getting shuffled at the auction as well, with teams getting guys in the auction for their home conditions. The teams were really strong this year, and I'm really looking forward to next year. I wish the teams in the Eliminators all the best.
(On the impact of home conditions) Not hugely. I think the Oval is generally quite lucky. We get really good pitches there, and we had a really good team. We lost to Welsh Fire, and that was probably our first away loss, and then we lost a couple at home. Generally, the trend is that if you win your home games, it naturally does help, of course. I'm obviously a little bit disappointed, but proud of the group that we did, especially with Boult under huge pressure. Even though we're out of the competition, he showed his class, and it just makes that bus journey home a little bit better.
(On playing with his brother, Tom Curran) Of course. We've played six years here, and we obviously dropped two catches off his bowling tonight, so you know where they would be. But, yeah, fantastic season. We'd love to have gone a little bit further, and it's always special playing with family. Generally, most of the team we play with are a lot of players from Surrey, and I did feel that family feel. It was a good season, but we haven't qualified, so we'll learn from that and move on to next year."
(On the pressure of the qualification scenario) It's a little bit tricky. I spoke to the group beforehand, and it's all about going out today and starting the game as we're going to win it, then allowing ourselves and giving ourselves that chance to earn the right to be in a position to push for the run rate. Birmingham bowled really well. Ideally, we wanted 200 there and to try and defend 140, and then we probably would have bowled, I guess. That's the natural thing to do. But we can look back at so many different scenarios.
(On the standard of The Hundred this season) Absolutely. Naturally, with four overseas players and the format, I feel like people are understanding it a bit better in terms of us players. We're six years into it now, so the teams are getting shuffled at the auction as well, with teams getting guys in the auction for their home conditions. The teams were really strong this year, and I'm really looking forward to next year. I wish the teams in the Eliminators all the best.
(On the impact of home conditions) Not hugely. I think the Oval is generally quite lucky. We get really good pitches there, and we had a really good team. We lost to Welsh Fire, and that was probably our first away loss, and then we lost a couple at home. Generally, the trend is that if you win your home games, it naturally does help, of course. I'm obviously a little bit disappointed, but proud of the group that we did, especially with Boult under huge pressure. Even though we're out of the competition, he showed his class, and it just makes that bus journey home a little bit better.
(On playing with his brother, Tom Curran) Of course. We've played six years here, and we obviously dropped two catches off his bowling tonight, so you know where they would be. But, yeah, fantastic season. We'd love to have gone a little bit further, and it's always special playing with family. Generally, most of the team we play with are a lot of players from Surrey, and I did feel that family feel. It was a good season, but we haven't qualified, so we'll learn from that and move on to next year."
So, MI London won by two runs. Who won the qualification battle? Not MI London. That is the cruel beauty of this format. Trent Boult's final over was the difference between a nervy finish and a Phoenix escape, with those crucial dot balls squeezing the life out of the chase. Rehan Ahmed's late assault had almost turned the story completely around. But MI London held their nerve when it mattered most. They won the match, yet the required margin remained a mountain too high. A victory that felt like a defeat. Cricket can be wonderfully unforgiving like that.
And what does this result mean for the tournament? Three teams are now confirmed in the playoffs. Trent Rockets had already secured their place directly in the final at Lord's on Sunday, August 16. Manchester Super Giants and Sunrisers Leeds will now meet in the Eliminator at The Oval on Friday, August 14, with the winner earning the right to face the Rockets in the final. MI London, despite this thrilling two-run victory, are out because they could not secure the required margin.
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentator, Ajay Pal Singh, and scorer Zeeshan Naiyer. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!