In a thrilling Major League Cricket Eliminator match, the Texas Super Kings, led by captain Faf du Plessis, emerged victorious over defending champions MI New York by a comfortable nine-wicket margin.
Chasing a modest target of 164, the Super Kings displayed a dominant performance, reaching the winning total in just 18.3 overs. Du Plessis, the Player of the Match, anchored the chase with a superb 72 off 47 deliveries, including three towering sixes and six boundaries. His opening partnership with Devon Conway, who contributed an unbeaten 51 off 43 balls, laid the foundation for the Super Kings’ success.
After du Plessis’ dismissal, Conway and Aaron Hardie ensured a seamless finish. Hardie’s quickfire 40 not out from 22 balls, featuring two sixes and three fours, complemented Conway’s steady knock. The duo forged an unbeaten 66-run stand to seal the victory for their team.
Reflecting on the triumph, du Plessis emphasized the significance of a strong start and praised his teammates’ efforts. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy run rate throughout the chase and acknowledged the contributions of Stoinis and Hardie in the bowling department.
MI New York, on the other hand, struggled to gain momentum after being sent in to bat. Despite a promising start, they lost key wickets in quick succession, including opener Dewald Brevis and Nicholas Pooran. Shayan Jahangir and Monank Patel provided some stability, but their partnership was broken by Dwayne Bravo.
Rashid Khan attempted to boost the team’s total, but received limited support from his teammates. MI New York eventually ended their innings at 163/8 in 20 overs, falling short of a competitive score.
Skipper Kieron Pollard acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and expressed a commitment to return stronger next season. He emphasized the need for improvement in fielding and overall performance.
With this victory, the Texas Super Kings advance to the next round of the competition, while MI New York’s title defense comes to an end.
