San Francisco Unicorns vs MI New York Match Highlights & Results

Right then, that will be it from us for this nail-biting contest. Make sure to join in on 12th July, Saturday, for the Challenger where the Texas Super Kings square off against the MI New York from the same venue. That game will start at 12.00 am GMT. But as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Nicholas Pooran, the MI New York skipper, is up for a chat. He says that the game got closer than they expected. Adds that the bowling effort was exceptional and they have been fantastic through the season. Kudos to the guys who put their hand up in tough situations. Shares that playing in different venues was a bit of a challenge, as Florida was slow while the pitches in Dallas are good and help in scoring runs, but they need to adapt well. Mentions that they did not want to be reckless and get behind on the DLS as they got a start, but the middle order did not contribute. Feels lucky to get out of jail and adds that the game is never over till end and they cannot take anything for granted. Lauds Trent Boult for his all-round performance.

Trent Boult is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his all-round brilliance. Says that it was a fresh wicket, there was some nice weather too and the boys bowled well. Adds that they would have taken 130 of the week. Shares that it is nice to experience different wickets in this country, but as a bowler, the challenge is always to take wickets, try to learn, and find other ways if it is not swinging. Mentions that he wasn't expecting to bat, but nice to win it. Closes by adding that everyone jokes about his batting, but happy to win today.

Presentation time...

Matthew Short, the San Francisco Unicorns skipper, is up for a chat. He says that the runs from the top-order were not good enough, but they bowled pretty well. Credits the tail and the bowlers who kept them in the game. Says that the ball was wet, and it was tough on the bowlers, but they all fought hard. Adds that they lost some big players at the backend, but they still believed we had the depth to our squad. Shares that it’s a season of two halves as they got off to a flier and then lost their way.  Mentions that the depth in their locals has been brilliant, and it is about keeping the group together now and going ahead.

Earlier in the day, the Unicorns posted a below-par total of 131 after a disastrous start at 16/5. A crucial recovery came from Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett, who added valuable runs to give their team a fighting chance. With the ball, Trent Boult and Nosthush Kenjige picked up two wickets each, while Rushil Ugarkar was the pick of the bowlers with an impressive 3/19. Despite the scare, MI New York managed to huff and puff their way into the Challenger round, while the San Francisco Unicorns bowed out of the tournament, ending a campaign that had begun with promise.

The San Francisco Unicorns didn’t have a big total to defend, but their bowlers came out firing, keeping things tight early and striking regularly through the middle overs. Matthew Short and Hassan Khan were the standout performers, sharing seven wickets between them for just 52 runs across their combined eight overs. Xavier Bartlett also made a key breakthrough, dismissing the dangerous Kieron Pollard. With MI New York needing 19 runs off the final two overs, the Unicorns opted to bring back Hassan Khan—a move that backfired as the left-arm spinner conceded 15 runs, swinging the momentum decisively in New York’s favor.

MI New York have booked their place in the Challenger, bringing an end to the season for the San Francisco Unicorns. In what was their first-ever win over the Unicorns in MLC history, MI New York clinched a tense victory by two wickets, with three balls remaining. Chasing a modest target of 132, MI New York got off to a solid start with openers Monank Patel and Quinton de Kock laying the foundation in the Powerplay. Quinton de Kock departed after the Powerplay, with Nicholas Pooran following him soon after. Monank Patel and Michael Bracewell stitched together a steady partnership, but Patel’s dismissal sparked a mini-collapse, leaving MI New York teetering at 108 for 8. Just when the game looked to be slipping away, Trent Boult stepped up with a few crucial blows at the death to seal a dramatic win for New York.

Ben Lister to Nosthush Kenjige, 1 run.KENJIGE HITS THE WINNING RUNS! Back of a length, just outside off. Nosthush Kenjige dabs it toward the short third region and takes a single. MI New York win by 2 wickets with three balls to spare.

Ben Lister to Trent Boult, 1 run.Yorker, just outside off. Trent Boult squeezes it to deep point for one. The scores are level now. Just a single needed off four balls.

Ben Lister to Trent Boult, 2 runs.Back of a length delivery on off. Trent Boult clears the front leg and hacks it toward deep mid-wicket for a couple.

The MI New York needs four off the final over with two wickets in hand. Ben Lister has the responsibility for the San Francisco Unicorns.

Hassan Khan to Trent Boult, 1 run.Fuller and quicker at the stumps. Trent Boult shimmies down and heaves it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single. 4 needed off the final over.

Hassan Khan to Trent Boult, No run.Slower through the air, on off. Trent Boult hacks it toward long-on. Denies the single again.

Hassan Khan to Trent Boult, No run.Fired in at the stumps. Trent Boult drills this to long-on for none.

Hassan Khan to Trent Boult, Six!SIX MORE! DISPATCHED! Flatter and quicker on the middle and leg. Trent Boult stands tall and pumps it over the wide long-on fence for back-to-back sixes. Just 5 needed off 9 balls.

Hassan Khan to Trent Boult, Six!SIX! BANG! Trent Boult is keeping the MI New York alive! Full and at the stumps. Trent Boult stays deep in the crease and smashes it over long-on for a flat hit. 11 needed off 10 balls now.

Hassan Khan to Trent Boult, 2 runs.Shorter, on off. Trent Boult flat-bats it over the bowler, down to long-off for a couple.

Hassan Khan (3-0-15-4) will bowl the penultimate over for the Unicorns.

Xavier Bartlett to Trent Boult, 1 run.Yorker, in the blockhole. Trent Boult makes room and squeezes it toward mid-wicket for a single. 19 needed off 12 balls. This is going down the wire.

Xavier Bartlett to Nosthush Kenjige, 1 run.On a length, around off. Nosthush Kenjige dabs it in front of the backward point and they steal another run.

Xavier Bartlett to Nosthush Kenjige, No run.Low full toss, on off. Nosthush Kenjige bunts it to short cover.

Xavier Bartlett to Trent Boult, 1 run.Pitched full, on off. Trent Boult makes room and drills it past the bowler, down the ground for a single.

Xavier Bartlett to Nosthush Kenjige, 1 run.Short of a good length, just outside off. Nosthush Kenjige taps it toward point and they take a single.

Xavier Bartlett to Trent Boult, 1 run.Back of a length, on the middle and leg. Boult chips it uppishly through mid-wicket for one.

Hassan Khan to Nosthush Kenjige, No run.Fuller on the leg. Nudged to the backward square leg. 24 needed off 18 balls now.

Nosthush Kenjige walks in at 10.

Hassan Khan to Tristan Luus, OUT! c Xavier Bartlett b Hassan Khan.OUT! CAUGHT! Hassan Khan gets his fourth, and the wheels are coming off for MI New York. Full and outside the off stump. Another one that grips and spins away. Tristan Luus makes room and looks to go inside out over the long-off boundary, but it comes off the cue end and goes straight to Xavier Bartlett near the ropes, who makes no mistake. MI New York lose their eighth.

Hassan Khan to Trent Boult, 1 run.Tossed up on off. Trent Boult eases this to long-on for one.

Hassan Khan to Trent Boult, No run.Flatter, on a length, and turns away to beat Boult all ends up.

Trent Boult walks in at 9.

Hassan Khan to Tajinder Singh, OUT! c Tim Seifert b Hassan Khan.OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Another one bites the dust. Tosses it on a length, drifts in and spins away, just outside off. Tajinder Singh looks to drive, but gets the faint edge that is taken sharply by Tim Seifert behind the stumps. The last recognized batter for MI New York is gone. They are seven down.

Hassan Khan to Tristan Luus, 1 run.Flatter on off. Luus shimmies down and knocks it past the bowler, toward long-off for one.

Ben Lister to Tristan Luus, 1 run.Back of a length, around off. Luus dabs it toward the backward point for one. 26 needed off 24 balls now.

Ben Lister to Tristan Luus, Six!TOP EDGE AND SIX! Lister bowls it short, angled into the batter. Tristan Luus gets inside the line and helps it off the top edge, and flies over the fine leg fence for a much-needed maximum.

Ben Lister to Tristan Luus, No run.Fuller than a good length, on off. Tristan Luus plays a punchy drive to mid-off.

Ben Lister to Tristan Luus, No run.On a length, around off. Tristan Luus pushes it toward short cover.

Ben Lister to Tajinder Singh, 1 run.Back of a length on middle. Tajinder Singh pulls it toward long-on for a single.

Ben Lister to Tajinder Singh, No run.Short of a good length, around off. Tajinder Singh dabs it to backward point.

Hassan Khan to Tristan Luus, No run.Flatter, around off. Tristan Luus knocks it into covers.

STRATEGIC BREAK! The San Francisco Unicorns are well and truly back in the game. MI New York need another 34 off 31 balls but have got only four wickets left. San Francisco Unicorns will look to push for more wickets and close this game, while Tajinder Singh holds the key for MI New York from here on. Also, Tristan Luus comes in next and will face the hat-trick ball from Hassan Khan.

Hassan Khan to Heath Richards, OUT! c Tim Seifert b Hassan Khan.OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Hassan Khan gets two in two! Tosses it on a length and gets it to spin away a touch, just outside off. Heath Richards prods forward to defend but gets the faint edge that is taken by Tim Seifert behind the stumps. MI New York are six down and crumbling at the wrong time.

Heath Richards walks in next.

Hassan Khan to Michael Bracewell, OUT! b Hassan Khan.OUT! BOWLED'EM! Hassan Khan gets the well-set Michael Bracewell. Bowls it fuller and quicker at the stumps. Michael Bracewell looks to play across the line but misses, and the stumps are clattered. Hassan Khan is pumped. MI New York have lost half of their side now.

Hassan Khan to Tajinder Singh, 1 run.Fuller and quicker, around off. Eased to sweeper cover for one.

Hassan Khan to Michael Bracewell, Leg bye.LEG BYE! Flatter on the leg. Michael Bracewell looks to work through the leg side, misses and it rolls off the pad toward mid-wicket for a leg bye.

Hassan Khan to Tajinder Singh, 1 run.Tosses it full, on the middle and leg. Tajinder Singh nudges this through square leg for one.

Xavier Bartlett to Michael Bracewell, 2 runs.Back of a length on the hip. Michael Bracewell tucks it toward mid-wicket and a misfield allows them to steal the double.

Xavier Bartlett to Tajinder Singh, 1 run.Full, on the middle and leg. Flicked to deep square leg for a single.

Tajinder Singh walks in at 6.

Xavier Bartlett to Kieron Pollard, OUT! c Jake Fraser-McGurk b Xavier Bartlett.OUT! CAUGHT! Xavier Bartlett gets the big fish! Bowls it fuller than a length, on off. Kieron Pollard plays a punchy drive, goes uppishly and toward long-on, where Jake Fraser-McGurk comes in from the ropes and takes a brilliant grab sliding forward. San Francisco Unicorns will keep believing. MI New York are four down.

Xavier Bartlett to Michael Bracewell, 1 run.On a length, on the middle. Michael Bracewell knocks it toward long-on for one.

Xavier Bartlett to Michael Bracewell, Four!FOUR! TOP SHOT! Fuller than a length, angling across the batter. Michael Bracewell gets on the front foot and creams the drive through extra cover for a lovely boundary.

Xavier Bartlett to Kieron Pollard, 1 run.Back of a length, on the hip. Kieron Pollard tucks it through backward square leg for one.

Xavier Bartlett (2-0-13-0) is back into the attack.

Matthew Short to Kieron Pollard, 1 run.Tosses it full, on off. Kieron Pollard comes forward and pushes into covers for one.

Matthew Short to Michael Bracewell, 1 run.Arm ball, on the leg. Michael Bracewell nudges it through square leg for one.

Matthew Short to Kieron Pollard, 1 run.Flatter on off. Kieron Pollard taps it into covers for one.

Matthew Short to Kieron Pollard, 2 runs.Flatter and outside off. Kieron Pollard cuts it toward deep point where a fumble allows them to steal the second.

Matthew Short to Kieron Pollard, No run.Sliding in from a length on middle, clipped to mid-wicket for none.

Kieron Pollard walks in at 5.

Matthew Short to Monank Patel, OUT! c Sanjay Krishnamurthi b Matthew Short.HOLES OUT! Matthew Short gets his third! Bowls it a tad short, on the middle and leg. Monank Patel rocks back and pulls it straight to Sanjay Krishnamurthi at the deep mid-wicket boundary, who makes no mistake. Just as Patel started to up the ante, he has perished to a poor shot. MI New York lose their third.

Liam Plunkett to Monank Patel, 1 run.Back of a length again, around off. Monank Patel dabs it toward short third and takes a single. 51 needed off 48 balls.

Liam Plunkett to Monank Patel, 2 runs.Back of a length, on the middle and leg. Monank Patel hops and tucks it through mid-wicket, scampers back for the second.

Liam Plunkett to Monank Patel, Six!SIX! STAND AND DELIVER! Bowls it on a length, on the middle. Monank Patel picks it early and lofts it cleanly over long-on boundary for half a dozen.

Liam Plunkett to Monank Patel, 2 Leg byes.TWO LEG BYES! On a length, angling down the leg. Monank Patel glances it off the pad, beats the keeper, rolls toward fine leg for couple of leg byes.

Liam Plunkett to Michael Bracewell, 1 run.Back of a length on the hip. Michael Bracewell tucks it round the corner for a single.

Liam Plunkett to Michael Bracewell, No run.Lands it on a length, and seams away, just outside off, to go past the defence of Michael Bracewell.

Liam Plunkett gets the ball now.

Hassan Khan to Monank Patel, Six!SIX! BANG! Monank Patel finally breaks the shackles! Tossed up on the middle and leg. Monank Patel makes room and launches it over the bowler, toward straightish long-on for half a dozen.

Hassan Khan to Michael Bracewell, 1 run.Full and quick at the stumps. Michael Bracewell drills this to long-on for a single.

Hassan Khan to Monank Patel, 1 run.Flatter arm ball, on middle. Monank Patel steers it to deep point for one.

Hassan Khan to Monank Patel, 2 runs.Tosses it on a length, just outside off. Monank Patel looks to go inside out, gets the outside edge, rolls past the short third fielder who gives the chase and keeps it to two.

Hassan Khan to Monank Patel, No run.Flatter and quicker, just outside off. Monank Patel cuts it to the cover fielder.

Hassan Khan to Michael Bracewell, 1 run.Flatter on off. Michael Bracewell punches this to long-off for a single.

Hassan Khan comes into the attack.

Brody Couch to Monank Patel, No run.Back of a length, angled into the middle. Monank Patel hops and tucks it to the mid-wicket fielder. MI New York are 58/2 at the halfway mark.

Brody Couch to Michael Bracewell, 1 run.Short of a length, angled into the batter. Michael Bracewell moves across and pulls it on the bounce to deep square leg for a single.

Brody Couch to Michael Bracewell, 2 runs.Pitched full, around off. Michael Bracewell drives it past the diving cover fielder and takes a couple.

Brody Couch to Michael Bracewell, No run.Back of a length, angling across the batter. Michael Bracewell swings and misses.

Brody Couch to Monank Patel, 1 run.Pitched full, on off. Monank Patel drives it uppishly toward long-on for a single.

Brody Couch to Monank Patel, No run.Back of a length, zips through, around off. Monank Patel flays and misses.

STRATEGIC BREAK! MI New York, after a brisk start, have lost two big wickets and needs another 78 off 66 balls. Monank Patel has been in good form and will hold the key in the chase for MI New York. San Francisco Unicorns, meanwhile, will look to chip away with wickets and build pressure.

Matthew Short to Michael Bracewell, No run.Tosses it on a length, on off. Michael Bracewell defends into the off-side.

Matthew Short to Monank Patel, 1 run.Fuller and quicker on the pad. Monank Patel nudges it through backward square leg for a single.

Matthew Short to Monank Patel, No run.Flatter and quicker at the stumps. Monank Patel blocks it to the right of the bowler.

Matthew Short to Michael Bracewell, 1 run.Quicker arm ball, on off. Michael Bracewell cuts it to point for one.

Matthew Short to Monank Patel, 1 run.Flatter, turning into the middle. Monank Patel chips it toward wide long-on for one.

Matthew Short to Monank Patel, Wide!WIDE! Shortish, down the leg. Monank Patel pulls and misses. Wide signaled.

Matthew Short to Michael Bracewell, 1 run.Shorter and wider outside off. Michael Bracewell cuts this to sweeper cover for a single. 50 comes up for MI New York.

Ben Lister to Michael Bracewell, 1 run.Good length delivery on the middle and leg. Michael Bracewell tucks it through mid-wicket and takes a run.

Ben Lister to Monank Patel, Leg bye.LEG BYE! Fuller than a length, on the leg. Monank Patel misses the flick, it comes off the pad, rolls toward backward square leg for a leg bye.

Ben Lister to Michael Bracewell, 1 run.Back of a length, around off. Michael Bracewell runs it down to deep third for a single.

Ben Lister to Michael Bracewell, No run.Lands it on a length, at the stumps. Michael Bracewell defends it forward.

Ben Lister to Michael Bracewell, No run.Back of a length, around off. Michael Bracewell dabs it toward short third.

Ben Lister to Monank Patel, 1 run.Full-length delivery, around off. Monank Patel drives it toward mid-off for a single.

Michael Bracewell walks in at 4.

Matthew Short to Nicholas Pooran, OUT! b Matthew Short.OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Matthew Short gets two big wickets in the over. Tosses it on a length, angles back into the middle, and leg stump line. Nicholas Pooran prods forward to defend but plays the wrong line. The ball sneaks through the gap and cannons into the stumps. MI New York are two down and they need another 87 off 78 balls.

Matthew Short to Nicholas Pooran, No run.Full and straight, at the sticks. Nicholas Pooran pushes it back to the bowler.

Matthew Short to Monank Patel, 1 run.Flighted full, on off. Monank Patel eases it past the bowler, toward long-on for one.