MLC 2025: Trent Boult’s Heroics Guide MI New York to Nail-Biting Win Over San Francisco Unicorns in MLC Eliminator

In a dramatic Major League Cricket (MLC) eliminator clash on Thursday night, MI New York edged out San Francisco Unicorns by two wickets with just three balls to spare, thanks to Trent Boult’s all-round brilliance at the Grand Prairie Stadium. Known primarily for his lethal new-ball spells, Boult turned the tide with the bat this time, sealing the match with back-to-back sixes in a tense finish.

Chasing a modest target of 132 in a rain-curtailed contest, MI New York began steadily, reaching 37 without loss at the end of the powerplay. However, the game took a sharp turn when Matthew Short dismissed both Quinton de Kock and captain Nicholas Pooran in quick succession, breathing life back into the Unicorns’ campaign. Monank Patel then anchored the innings cautiously alongside Michael Bracewell, but his 33-run effort ended abruptly when Short returned to remove him in his third over.

With the chase increasingly looking uncertain, Kieron Pollard’s dismissal at the hands of Xavier Bartlett left MI New York in a precarious spot. The real damage came when left-arm spinner Hassan Khan unleashed a double strike, removing Bracewell and Heath Richards in one over. He followed it up with another crushing over, getting rid of Tajinder Singh and Tristan Luus, leaving MI New York reeling at 108 for 8, still 24 runs short with only the tail left.

Just as San Francisco seemed poised for an incredible comeback, Boult stitched together a crucial ninth-wicket partnership with Nosthush Kenjige. As the pressure mounted, Boult turned the game decisively in MI New York’s favor, smashing two consecutive sixes over long-on off Hassan Khan in the final over, completing the chase and silencing the Unicorns’ hopes.

Earlier in the evening, Boult had already played a pivotal role with the ball. MI New York’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Boult and Kenjige, dismantled the Unicorns’ top order early. Kenjige struck first, removing the dangerous Matthew Short, followed by Boult getting Tim Seifert caught behind. Kenjige then claimed Sanjay Krishnamurthi, before Boult delivered a double blow by sending Jake Fraser-McGurk and Hassan Khan back to the pavilion in consecutive balls, reducing the Unicorns to 21 for 5 within five overs.

Although Cooper Connolly, Hammad Azam, and Brody Couch offered brief resistance, it was Xavier Bartlett who gave the Unicorns a fighting chance. Batting at number seven, Bartlett hit four sixes en route to a 24-ball 44, helping his side post 131 in 19.3 overs. Rushil Ugarkar also contributed with a tight spell, picking up 3 for 19.

In the end, despite a commendable 4 for 30 by Hassan Khan and Matthew Short’s 3 for 22, MI New York’s resilience led by Boult proved too strong. Boult’s combined impact with both ball and bat earned him the Player of the Match award, setting up MI New York’s clash with Texas Super Kings in Qualifier 2.

Brief Scores:

• MI New York: 132/8 in 19.3 overs (Quinton de Kock 33, Monank Patel 33, Trent Boult 22; Hassan Khan 4/30, Matthew Short 3/22)
• San Francisco Unicorns: 131 all out in 19.3 overs (Xavier Bartlett 44, Cooper Connolly 23, Brody Couch 19; Rushil Ugarkar 3/19, Trent Boult 2/19, Nosthush Kenjige 2/43)
• MI New York won by 2 wickets.