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Defending champions MI New York (MINY) managed to seal a playoff spot in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 with a four-wicket win over Los Angeles Knight Riders on Monday, July 22. They secured the qualification with just two wins in seven games and a better net run rate than the Knight Riders.
MINY started the season on a high, bundling out Seattle Orcas for 108, and then sealing the chase under 15 overs. However, they faced four losses and a no-result game to put their playoff qualification in jeopardy.
However, the bowling unit rose to the occasion and bowled out the Knight Riders for 130 in a must-win final league game. Then, the batters produced a fine showing as the Kieron Pollard-led side completed the chase with three overs to spare.
On that note, let's take a look at why MI New York can pose a strong challenge to their opponents despite inconsistent form.
1) Presence of clutch performers like Nicholas Pooran and Rashid Khan
Nicholas Pooran has been in sensational T20 form in recent years. The last MLC season witnessed him emerge as the top batter with 388 runs in six innings at an average of 64.66. In the final, the southpaw smoked 137 off 55 balls, with 10 fours and 13 sixes.
Ahead of this season, he was West Indies' top batter in the T20 World Cup with 227 runs in eight innings. He has maintained consistency in MLC 2024 by becoming the leading run-getter for the franchise with 172 runs in six innings, with a top knock of 62* off 37 coming in the first game. The last game saw him score 35 off 28 and play a part in the team's qualification to the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Rashid Khan has turned out to be the finest performer for MINY this season, with contributions in both departments. Rashid has scalped 10 wickets and garnered 107 runs in five innings. He scored a blistering 50 off 23 balls against the Texas Super Kings.
The skilful spinner came in clutch with his figures of 3/22 to help the side bundle out the opposition for a modest score in the last game. With nearly 600 T20 wickets to his name, Rashid has the capability to perform in the big games, as witnessed in his four-wicket spell against Bangladesh in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
2) Kieron Pollard and Dewald Brevis coming to form at the right time
MI New York skipper, Kieron Pollard had been quiet with the bat until the final league game of this season. However, the veteran all-rounder got back to his vintage best by clobbering 33* off 12 balls, while also hitting three consecutive sixes against Spencer Johnson. The cherry on the top was his important wicket of Andre Russell, which came in his first and only ball of the game.
Furthermore, Dewald Brevis, who was dismissed for just two runs in his first appearance in the league, slammed 56 off 36 against San Francisco Unicorns. The latest outing saw him provide a good start to the team by scoring 27 off 19 balls against the Knight Riders.
Interestingly, Brevis was the finest batter for the team in the playoffs last season. He scored a total of 118 runs at an average of 59 and will look to replicate the same in the coming games as well.
3) Experience in bouncing back from failures to win the title
In the last season, MI New York were in a similar position in terms of qualification for the playoffs. Their victory over Washington Freedom was a saving grace, as they lost their final league game against Seattle Orcas. With two wins in five games, they finished fourth in the league stage.
Nevertheless, the team went on to secure clinical victories in the Eliminator and Challenger fixtures. In the final, the bowling unit conceded 183, but the batting unit led by Nicholas Pooran, sealed the chase in just 16 overs to lift the title.
Now, standing at the same juncture by finishing fourth in the league stage, the team will look to replicate the same feat this season as well.
The key players of MINY, Kieron Pollard, Rashid Khan, Pooran, Trent Boult and Dewald Brevis are in fine form as well. There's no doubt that the team can become champions this season as well.
