MLC 2023 Eliminator: MI New York (MINY) defeated the Texas Super Kings (TSK) in the Challenger match to advance to the final of the inaugural Major League Cricket (MLC).
Chasing 159 to win, cameos from Shayan Jahangir (36) and Tim David (33) were enough to help MINY cruise to victory with six wickets in hand. The two franchises have had an age-old rivalry in the IPL, particularly in the playoffs, and MINY would be happy to avenge their league setback over TSK.
Our batting has been below par: Faf du Plessis after the heartbreaking defeat in MLC 2023 Eliminator
Faf du Plessis, Texas Super Kings skipper: Our batting has been below par right throughout the tournament, starting with myself. We scratched our way to most of the totals. Tonight we held some composure and got to a decent total. Fought really hard in the field but they’ve got a really strong middle order. Really tough to find form, especially when the conditions are different on the field and at practice.
Skip concluded by saying, “It’s not like a one-day game where you can take some time, there’s always scoreboard pressure. Some guys have been in good form while others have struggled. We need to really try and dominate the first 10 overs.
Finally, Faf du Plessis thanked the spectators and TSK supporters, “The second 10 overs is where the damage gets done so it’s about playing well in the first 10. Get a good score and then there’s always a death bowler you can target. Seen a lot of yellow shirts, it’s been a positive. Thank you all very much.”
The Brevis-David duo paved the way for MI New York after Boult’s 4-fer
Earlier in the day, MI New York won the toss and put the Texas Super Kings into bat. Trent Boult got MINY off to a terrific start when he dismissed Captain Faf du Plessis for 6 runs off 9 balls in the third over. Mitchell Santner and Cody Chetty were also sent packing in quick succession as the Super Kings found themselves in deep trouble at 34/3.
However, Devon Conveyand Milind Kumar rebuilt the Super Kings’ innings and took the score to 98/3 in 14 overs. Nonetheless, the wickets fell on quick succession and the Super Kings found themselves on 158 in 20 overs. Meanwhile, Boult left the field with an impressive 4/24 in his four-over quota.
Despite losing Slade van Staden early in the game, Shayan Jahangir made sure MI New York got off to a good start on the powerplay. He scored 36 points on 18 shots and helped his side recover from their initial setback.
MINY continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, leaving Dewald Brevis and Tim David to consolidate the chase. MI New York appeared to be leaving it too late at one point. However, runs began to flow from both ends, with David hitting three sixes against Mohammad Mohsin in the 16th over.
After Tim David left, David Wiese joined Brevis and made certain that the kid received the best possible support from the opposite end. Brevis hit a boundary to bring up the winning runs, and his excitement demonstrated how important the franchise was to him.
MINY will now face the Seattle Orcas in the MLC 2023 final on Monday, July 31 at 6 a.m. IST.
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