MLC 2023: MI New York defeat Washington Freedom in Eliminator

MI New York (MINY) clinched a place in the playoff final or Qualifier 2, after defeating the Washington Freedom in a tense contest in the Major League Cricket eliminator game on Thursday at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. Notably, while batting first, MI New York posted a total of 141 runs in a given 20 overs for the loss of seven wickets. In reply, while chasing, the Washington Freedom were restricted to 125 runs for the loss of nine wickets, and their journey to the inaugural edition of MLC 2023 ended right here.

Earlier, the Washington skipper won the toss and invited MI New York to bat first. After being put into bat first, they lost two wickets in quick succession as their openers, Monank Patel and Nicholas Pooran, were dismissed for just 24 runs on board. Following that, during the tenth over of play, the great middle-order batter Shayan Jahangir got out after making 25 runs from 27 balls. Later, Dewald Brevis helped the squad reach a respectable total of 141/7 following his remarkable half-century. The star batter scored 57 runs from 41 balls, featuring four boundaries and three sixes.

Washington Freedom lost five wickets for only 38 runs

Later, while chasing, the Washington Freedom must have had high hopes to win this knockout match, but an early loss by their opener, Short, who just departed in the second over after scoring just 8 runs, put an end to their quest. Later, Andries Gous (24) and Mukhtar Ahmed (19) attempted to save the game with an impressive partnership, but as Gous was dismissed, they lost five wickets for only 38 runs.

This setback dispelled their momentum, and they were only able to rack up 125 runs after 20 overs. Notably, Jansen (28) was looking great towards the end as the lower batter hit one boundary and three sixes to reach that total, but MINY star pacer Trent Boult dismissed him and put an end to their campaign.

Now, MI New York will take on the Texas Super Kings on July 29, who suffered the loss against table-toppers the Seattle Orcas during qualifier 1. The winner of this match will join the Seattle Orcas for the final match, which is slated to take place on July 31.