LAKR VS MINY MATCH 19

Right then, that was it from our coverage of the nail-biting qualification match between MI New York and Los Angeles Knight Riders. It was MI New York who took home the win and qualified in the fourth spot for the playoffs. However, we will be back with more coverage of the Major League cricket on 23rd July. It will be a top-of-the-table clash between San Francisco Unicorns and Washington Freedom. The first ball will be bowled at 6 am IST (12.30 am GMT) but our coverage will start much earlier. Until then, goodbye and cheers!

Kieron Pollard the skipper of MI New York is up for a chat. He says that he is happy and congratulates his entire team for their performance. Adds that they were good with the bat in this tournament but the results were not in their favor. Mentions that this win was a complete team performance and it gave a lot of confidence to everyone. Ends by saying that their hard work paid off and will perform well further as well.

Sunil Narine, the captain of the Los Angeles Knight Riders is up for a chat. He says that they were some runs short and the innings by Pooran and Pollard took the game away from them. Jokes that he will have to improve his skills at the toss. Adds that batting first is always tough but it was a good tournament for them. Mentions that they tried their best and appreciates his bowlers for giving it their all. Ends by saying that they will keep fighting and that he is happy with the team balance.

Rashid Khan is the Player of the Match for his impactful bowling spell. He says that the win was a much needed one. Adds that the wickets he took were crucial. Adds that it was all about bowling in the right areas and that went well. Says that everything went perfect for him. Ends by saying that they will look to carry on with the momentum and try to win the next game.

The Presentation ceremony…

Earlier in the innings, we saw the Los Angeles Knight Riders batters struggling against MI New York. Trent Boult, Nosthush Kenjige, and Rashid Khan got wickets and put the Knight Riders in a tough spot. However, a late boost by Andre Russell took them to a competitive total and gave some relief to their bowlers.

Nicholas Pooran says that he is happy with the win and they believed. Adds that they have been in similar situations before and they did well. He says that Kieron Pollard played the role of finisher well and he has all the experience. Ends by saying that they will give their best in the playoffs.

Los Angeles Knight Riders executed their plan well. The pacers troubled the batters initially and Spencer Johnson gave them the opening wicket. Corne Dry soon followed and cleared the path for the rest of the bowlers. Sunil Narine and Andre Russell put further pressure with quick wickets. Johnson was shown a glimpse of vintage Pollard and that over, changed the momentum of the game. Ali Khan got rid of Pooran but the damage was already done. They couldn't make the cut this year but will hope to make a strong comeback next year.

MI New York had a struggling start to their innings. They had to chase down the target in 18.2 over to qualify and Ruben Clinton couldn’t get going. He succumbed under pressure and so did Dewald Brevis. Nicholas Pooran couldn’t find an ideal partner to attack from both ends as Monank Patel, Heath Richards, and Romario Shepherd also crumbled under pressure. Kieron Pollard was at his best and he hit three sixes in Spencer Johnson’s one over to get his team right back in the game. In the end, Rashid Khan and Kieron Pollard sealed the game in their favor. The defending champions will once again have the chance to compete for the coveted trophy.

MI NEW YORK HAVE MANAGED TO QUALIFY FOR THE PLAYOFFS! After a struggling run so far, the team in blue have made the cut when it mattered the most. The Los Angeles Knight Riders will have to try again next year as the top 4 are sealed in now.

FOUR! MI New York have qualified for the play-offs! On a length and on the pads. Rashid Khan gets a faint edge on it and the ball races away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Too full and outside off. Rashid Khan dances down the ground to try and get some bat on it but the ball zips past his outer edge.

Another yorker, on leg, Rashid Khan just manages to block it.

A yorker, on middle, Rashid Khan digs it back.

Scores level. A yorker, on leg, Kieron Pollard digs it to long on for one.

Wide! Lands it way outside off, Kieron Pollard looks to slap it but misses again. Wided.

Short and on off, Kieron Pollard slaps it back towards the bowler who just manages to get t his right hand to it and drops it. A difficult chance though.