MLC 2025: Kieron Pollard’s Late Blitz Sends MI New York into Finals

Kieron Pollard delivered a vintage performance on Friday night in Dallas, blasting an unbeaten 47 off just 22 balls to guide MI New York into the MLC 2025 final, stunning Texas Super Kings in a dramatic finish. Despite being the batting coach for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, Pollard showed he still has plenty to offer on the field, playing the role of a game-changer when it mattered most.

Chasing 167, MI New York’s start was far from ideal. Quinton de Kock and Michael Bracewell were dismissed cheaply within the first seven overs, leaving the team in trouble at 43 runs. Monank Patel attempted to anchor the innings, scoring 49 off 39 balls, but his effort came at a slow strike rate, and his dismissal in the 13th over left MI New York struggling at 83/3. Nicholas Pooran also had difficulty finding rhythm early on.

Pollard walked in and wasted no time asserting himself. He launched his first ball, bowled by Noor Ahmad, 100 metres straight down the ground, setting the tone for what was to come. Even with his aggressive intent, Texas Super Kings managed to maintain pressure until the 16th over, with MI New York still needing runs at a steep rate of 12.5 per over.

The game turned decisively when Zia-ul-Haq came on to bowl. Pollard unleashed a flurry of boundaries — 6, 4, 4, 2, 6 — in a single over that yielded 23 runs and broke the back of the chase. From there, the result was inevitable. Pooran finished the match with a towering six, ending on 52* off 36 balls, while Pollard remained unbeaten with 47. The partnership sealed a remarkable win for MI New York, who had only won three of their ten league matches and fought their way into the final through the Eliminator and Qualifier 2.

Texas Super Kings, who appeared poised for the title clash, were left disappointed after a spirited but ultimately insufficient performance. Their innings was anchored by Faf du Plessis, who scored 59 off 42 while the rest of the top order collapsed. Smit Patel, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Shubham Ranjane, and Marcus Stoinis all fell cheaply, reducing TSK to 85/5 by the 13th over.

The late innings fightback came through an 81-run stand between Akeal Hosein and Donovan Ferreira. Hosein played an aggressive knock of 55 off 32, while Ferreira contributed 32 off 20, helping the team reach 166/5 and setting up what seemed like a defendable target.

However, the Pollard-Pooran duo made sure that the effort was in vain. With this win, MI New York secured a place in the MLC 2025 final, where they will face Washington Freedom, carrying the momentum of a dramatic comeback and the confidence of a team that now believes anything is possible.