MI New York clinch thriller to secure MLC title

MI New York Clinch Thriller to Secure MLC Title

MI New York staged a remarkable turnaround to win the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) title, defeating defending champions Washington Freedom by five runs in a thrilling finale at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.

Chasing 181, Freedom needed 12 runs off the final over, but Rushil Ugarkar's calm bowling ensured the win for MINY. Glenn Phillips and Glenn Maxwell were at the crease, but Maxwell's mistimed shot to long-on and Obus Pienaar's swing and miss sealed the deal for MINY.

Freedom's run-chase was marred by a horror start, losing Mitchell Owen and Andries Gous to Trent Boult in the first over. A 84-run partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Jack Edwards steadied the innings, with Ravindra top-scoring with 70 off 41 balls. However, once Ravindra fell, MINY regained control, and Phillips' 48 not out kept Washington in the hunt.

Earlier, Quinton de Kock top-scored with 77 off 46 balls, sharing a 72-run opening stand with Monank Patel. Nicholas Pooran added 56 runs for the fourth wicket with de Kock, but Saurabh Netravalkar broke the stand. Lockie Ferguson was Washington Freedom's standout bowler, taking 3 for 24, while Trent Boult and Rushil Ugarkar took two wickets each for MINY.

Brief Scores: MI New York 180/7 in 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 77) beat Washington Freedom 175/5 in 20 overs (Rachin Ravindra 70) by 5 runs