172/3 (19.0)
CR : 9.05
166/5 (20.0)
CR : 8.30
MI New York won by 7 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Kieron Pollard
0/4147(22)
Faf du Plessis (Texas Super Kings Captain): "Very disappointed. I think we were excellent right throughout the campaign and finished second on the log. We played some consistent cricket. Everyone tonight was scraping hard after losing the toss and got us to a good total. It became a little bit easier to bat on under the lights. Still, in the end, those two guys batted well for them. Obviously disappointed, I thought that we had a good squad this season.
I think yes. It's not the same wicket we played on earlier, before the rain. We came back here and it was slower, two-paced with a bit more grip. Probably, I would have taken that score, but the changing point was dropping Pollard twice. Those were extremely tough chances with the wind blowing heavily. If we got through him there, we would have broken the back of their batting.
Definitely thought about Akeal Hosein for his 4th over all the time. He bowled well up front. It was a case of holding him back. We were trying to get Pooran out and then bring him in. Pollard is a dangerous player against left-arm spin, and then it was a case of a 50-50 decision. We were talking about him constantly. We even asked him. Probably, he himself thought it was not the right decision to get him to bowl. In hindsight, you probably look at bowling him from this side. It is really difficult to contain the batters from this end with short straight boundaries.
100%. You work really hard to finish in the top two. If we had a crack there in the qualifier, we might have got straight into the final, but it wasn’t the case for us. MINY have been an average team this season, but they have stepped up with good performances of late. It has been really good to see the local boys step up this season. You always expect the overseas players to perform, but it has been the local guys who have stood up. Everyone did well. Thanks buddy."
I think yes. It's not the same wicket we played on earlier, before the rain. We came back here and it was slower, two-paced with a bit more grip. Probably, I would have taken that score, but the changing point was dropping Pollard twice. Those were extremely tough chances with the wind blowing heavily. If we got through him there, we would have broken the back of their batting.
Definitely thought about Akeal Hosein for his 4th over all the time. He bowled well up front. It was a case of holding him back. We were trying to get Pooran out and then bring him in. Pollard is a dangerous player against left-arm spin, and then it was a case of a 50-50 decision. We were talking about him constantly. We even asked him. Probably, he himself thought it was not the right decision to get him to bowl. In hindsight, you probably look at bowling him from this side. It is really difficult to contain the batters from this end with short straight boundaries.
100%. You work really hard to finish in the top two. If we had a crack there in the qualifier, we might have got straight into the final, but it wasn’t the case for us. MINY have been an average team this season, but they have stepped up with good performances of late. It has been really good to see the local boys step up this season. You always expect the overseas players to perform, but it has been the local guys who have stood up. Everyone did well. Thanks buddy."
Power Hitter of the Match: Nicholas Pooran
Play of the Day: Rushil Ugarkar
Player of the Match: Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard (POTM): "I think intent was crucial (on partnership with Nicky P). I showed my intent right from ball 1. Knowing Noor Ahmad, they kept him as a match-up for me. I just showed that I was here to play, and I'm not going to hold back tonight. Again, having Nicky P at the other end, he was there to support me. He was anchoring through and wanted to stay till the end. We knew that it was a matter of a few big hits in the end.
It is difficult. You can get out while trying to attack the bowlers. I played against Noor Ahmad a couple of times and took him on in the last game as well. It's about backing yourself and understanding what is needed. Once it's in my area, I'll take it. If it is not there, get one and get to the other end just as I did on my second ball. It is about knowing what is required at that time.
The conversation was simple. Thought it was a really good wicket compared to the one we played on in the quarter-final (Eliminator) against San Francisco. Restricting them to 166 was a good effort. If you had asked us before leaving the hotel, you would have taken it any day. We found ourselves in a spot of bother. It was about understanding the match-ups and what was needed at that particular time.
There were a couple of overs where they did well. Adam was up there in the 90s. We wanted to stay there and knock the singles, then go for the boundaries later because you could get out if you went after the good balls. We knew we would get the boundaries once we stayed there.
We got ourselves in this situation. Firstly, we should not be here, in all honesty, the way we have played, but we are here, so we might as well come and play.
You have played enough games to know these stuffs. You might come and either win or lose. If your lose, you would come back again. It is about knowing the scenario and doing well. I knew the team is depending on me. These are the games you want to stand up as an individual."
It is difficult. You can get out while trying to attack the bowlers. I played against Noor Ahmad a couple of times and took him on in the last game as well. It's about backing yourself and understanding what is needed. Once it's in my area, I'll take it. If it is not there, get one and get to the other end just as I did on my second ball. It is about knowing what is required at that time.
The conversation was simple. Thought it was a really good wicket compared to the one we played on in the quarter-final (Eliminator) against San Francisco. Restricting them to 166 was a good effort. If you had asked us before leaving the hotel, you would have taken it any day. We found ourselves in a spot of bother. It was about understanding the match-ups and what was needed at that particular time.
There were a couple of overs where they did well. Adam was up there in the 90s. We wanted to stay there and knock the singles, then go for the boundaries later because you could get out if you went after the good balls. We knew we would get the boundaries once we stayed there.
We got ourselves in this situation. Firstly, we should not be here, in all honesty, the way we have played, but we are here, so we might as well come and play.
You have played enough games to know these stuffs. You might come and either win or lose. If your lose, you would come back again. It is about knowing the scenario and doing well. I knew the team is depending on me. These are the games you want to stand up as an individual."
Nicholas Pooran (MI New York Captain): "Not sure how we got to the finals, but we are in the finals now.
We just focused on two things. Stay calm, build the energy, and keep believing. The coaching staff and senior players have done a fantastic job. They all have contributed. They shared their experiences, and senior players like Pollard led from the front.
We were really happy to restrict them to 166. In the tournament, our bowling has taken a beating and was going all around the park, but they have done well in the last few games. They have done the homework. They have stuck to the plans and executed them well. They have gotten better and better with each passing game.
Akeal Hosein played beautifully. It was good to see our bowlers coming into the party and restricting them to 166. We knew they had the good bowlers, and it won't be easy. They had Akeal, Noor and Ad.am. They have bowled well in this tournament.
The big man there is defying age. He shared his experience with everyone and really happy to share the dressing room. Pollard was fantastic. He is batting like he is 25. I personally feel that he has a lot more to offer.
Yeah, a couple of weeks ago, we had a chat, and it was about getting that opportunity. Tristan Luus and Ugarkar were eager to get out there and bowl. To be 19-20 years old and have the ability to bowl 80-90 miles is incredible. Boult is right at the top. He has given wickets in the powerplay. The guys are learning; they're hungry. They want to be a part of the tournament. Special mention to Monank. He probably has the most runs in the tournament, going from strength to strength. MLC has done one thing that it has given these guys an opportunity, and they have taken it with both hands. We are looking forward to the final. Anything can happen in the final, and we are embracing this journey."
We just focused on two things. Stay calm, build the energy, and keep believing. The coaching staff and senior players have done a fantastic job. They all have contributed. They shared their experiences, and senior players like Pollard led from the front.
We were really happy to restrict them to 166. In the tournament, our bowling has taken a beating and was going all around the park, but they have done well in the last few games. They have done the homework. They have stuck to the plans and executed them well. They have gotten better and better with each passing game.
Akeal Hosein played beautifully. It was good to see our bowlers coming into the party and restricting them to 166. We knew they had the good bowlers, and it won't be easy. They had Akeal, Noor and Ad.am. They have bowled well in this tournament.
The big man there is defying age. He shared his experience with everyone and really happy to share the dressing room. Pollard was fantastic. He is batting like he is 25. I personally feel that he has a lot more to offer.
Yeah, a couple of weeks ago, we had a chat, and it was about getting that opportunity. Tristan Luus and Ugarkar were eager to get out there and bowl. To be 19-20 years old and have the ability to bowl 80-90 miles is incredible. Boult is right at the top. He has given wickets in the powerplay. The guys are learning; they're hungry. They want to be a part of the tournament. Special mention to Monank. He probably has the most runs in the tournament, going from strength to strength. MLC has done one thing that it has given these guys an opportunity, and they have taken it with both hands. We are looking forward to the final. Anything can happen in the final, and we are embracing this journey."
That is the end of our coverage from this fixture. Hard luck for Texas Super Kings as their tournament comes to a halt. They failed to qualify for the final for the third successive time despite being in the playoffs. They were one of the two teams that have done so well in the league stage and faltered in the must-win game against MI New York after San Francisco Unicorns stumbled in the Eliminator.
MINY were under a bit of pressure, but nothing is defendable when Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard stand tall in front of you. Kudos to the experienced West Indian duo as they get into a great momentum at the right time.
So, Washington Freedom will be facing MI New York in the grand final of MLC 2025, which will take place on Sunday night in Dallas. It is a clash between the defending champions and the inaugural champions. One of them will be lifting their second title.
For now, this is me AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my colleague Dushyant Madhukar Kumar. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!
MINY were under a bit of pressure, but nothing is defendable when Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard stand tall in front of you. Kudos to the experienced West Indian duo as they get into a great momentum at the right time.
So, Washington Freedom will be facing MI New York in the grand final of MLC 2025, which will take place on Sunday night in Dallas. It is a clash between the defending champions and the inaugural champions. One of them will be lifting their second title.
For now, this is me AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my colleague Dushyant Madhukar Kumar. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!