MI New York Chase Down 201 in Style to Secure Maiden Victory
MI New York (MINY) finally opened their account in the Major League Cricket 2025 (MLC) season with a thrilling chase against the Seattle Orcas. Powered by a masterful 93 from Monank Patel, a solid half-century from Michael Bracewell, and a late assault from Kieron Pollard, MINY hunted down the 201-run target with six wickets and an over to spare.
This win came in the final match of the Oakland leg, with all teams now having completed three matches in the group stage. Despite a stuttering start, MINY displayed remarkable composure in the final overs to grab a much-needed win.
Seattle Orcas’ Explosive Batting Sets Up Challenging Target
Opting to bat first in search of their maiden win, Seattle Orcas reshuffled their batting lineup. Kyle Mayers was pushed down to No. 4 following a duck in the previous game. The change proved effective. After losing David Warner and Aaron Jones cheaply during the powerplay, Orcas were reduced to 30 for 2.
Mayers then joined forces with Shayan Jahangir, and the pair launched a counterattack. They stitched a 77-run partnership off just 49 balls, peppering the boundaries with consistent six-hitting — at least one six per over for five consecutive overs. Jahangir contributed a quick 43 off 34 before skying one to break the stand.
Mayers, however, continued the onslaught. He accelerated aggressively, particularly targeting Naveen-ul-Haq, smashing two sixes and a four in the 15th over and bringing up his fifty in just 31 balls. Using the depth of the crease and his powerful back-foot play, he dispatched multiple deliveries over the leg-side boundary. In the 17th over, he took Naveen for four sixes — three sailing over long-on — underlining his dominance.
Eventually, Trent Boult dismissed Mayers for a sensational 88 in the penultimate over, but there was more damage to come. Shimron Hetmyer clobbered two fours and two sixes in the final over before falling on the last ball. Captain Heinrich Klaasen also chipped in with 27 off 11, including three sixes, as the Orcas smashed 120 runs in the last eight overs to finish on 200 for 5.
Monank, Bracewell, and Pollard Anchor MINY’s Chase
In response, MINY had a cautious start. The team managed only 38 runs in the powerplay for the loss of one wicket — Quinton de Kock, who flicked a six but was trapped lbw by Sikandar Raza shortly after.
Monank Patel then took control of the innings. After launching Jasdeep Singh for a six and a four, the USA skipper kept the scoreboard ticking with a combination of precision and power. Michael Bracewell was promoted ahead of Nicholas Pooran to build a steady platform, playing the role of anchor at a run-a-ball pace.
As the innings moved into its second half, the momentum began to shift. With 90 runs needed off the final eight overs, Monank unleashed a flurry of boundaries, particularly targeting Raza’s off-spin. A dropped catch by Klaasen gave Bracewell a life, and Monank reached his highest score of the season before being caught for 93, leaving MINY needing 57 off 30 balls.
Pooran came and went quickly — managing just one run off four balls before striking a six and then losing his stumps to Raza, who celebrated with intensity. The equation stood at 49 runs needed off 22 balls when Kieron Pollard arrived.
Pollard and Bracewell’s Finishing Act Seals the Deal
Pollard wasted no time. He cracked two boundaries in his first three balls, announcing his arrival with authority. In the very next over, Bracewell tore into Mayers, striking two fours and a six to collect 19 runs. That assault brought the target down to 21 off 12 deliveries.
With momentum fully on their side, Bracewell (50* off 35) and Pollard (26* off 10) finished the match in the 19th over, taking 22 runs off Obed McCoy and wrapping up the chase in emphatic style.
Seattle’s bowling attack struggled in the death overs, with four of their bowlers conceding more than 10 runs per over. Their inconsistent fielding also played a part in letting the game slip from a strong position.
Key Performances in the Clash
- Monank Patel (MINY): 93 off 50 balls – set the tone with a captain’s knock.
- Michael Bracewell (MINY): Unbeaten 50 off 35 – anchored the innings and provided the perfect finish.
- Kieron Pollard (MINY): Unbeaten 26 off 10 – provided the death-over punch.
- Kyle Mayers (Orcas): 88 off 44 – the best Orcas batter on the day.
- Shayan Jahangir (Orcas): 43 off 34 – provided support in the middle overs.
- Sikandar Raza (Orcas): 2 for 37 – the pick of the bowlers in a high-scoring game.
Conclusion: MINY’s Comeback a Sign of Things to Come?
With this clinical performance, MI New York not only secured their first points but also sent a strong signal to the rest of the league. Their top order finally clicked, and the combination of experience and power in the lower order proved decisive. Meanwhile, Seattle Orcas will rue their missed chances and inconsistent bowling, despite an explosive performance with the bat.
As MLC 2025 progresses, MI New York will look to build on this victory and climb the standings, while Seattle Orcas must regroup quickly if they hope to stay in playoff contention.
