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Tag: MLC 2023

  • MLC 2023 Final: Here’s why Nicholas Pooran’s 137*(55) will not be added to his records

    MLC 2023 Final: Here’s why Nicholas Pooran’s 137*(55) will not be added to his records

    MI New York won the inaugural edition of Major League Cricket (MLC) after beating Seattle Orcas by seven wickets in the final on Monday, July 31. Stand-in captain Nicholas Pooran starred with the bat as he played a breathtaking knock of 137* in just 55 balls. However, this innings won’t be added to his records as the MLC does not have an official T20 status.

    The tournament was held in the USA, which is an Associate member nation, and hence, the International Cricket Council (ICC) hasn’t granted it official T20 status. It is interesting to note that ICC has sanctioned MLC but unfortunately, like popular tournaments like Abu Dhabi T10 League, US Masters T10 League, Global T20 Canada, and ILT20, the six-team tournament hasn’t received the all-important T20 status. However, this shouldn’t take anything away from Nicholas Pooran’s whirlwind knock that set the stage on fire.

    The southpaw hit 10 fours and 13 sixes during the memorable innings and reached the three-figure mark in just 40 balls. In the absence of the regular captain Kieron Pollard, Pooran stepped up in the summit clash as the MI brand added another title to its cabinet.

    Rashid Khan and Trent Boult reign supreme

    Nicholas Pooran won the toss and opted to bowl first in the MLC 2023 final, at the Grand Prairie Stadium, in Dallas. Quinton de Kock was on song for the Wayne Parnell-led side as he scored a scintillating 87 off just 52 balls. Cameos from Shubham Ranjane (29 off 16) and Dwaine Pretorius (21 off 7) helped SEO put up a challenging target of 184 for MINY. However, the target could have been in excess of 200 if experienced bowlers like Trent Boult and Rashid Khan hadn’t stepped up on the big stage.

    The Afghan spinner had a surprisingly quiet tournament leading up to the final. However, big players step up when the stakes are high and that was the case for Rashid as he finished with mind-boggling figures of 3/9 in his four overs. Boult, on the other hand, wasn’t as economical but he took the important wickets of de Kock and Ranjane to stem the flow of runs at the backend of the SEO innings.

    MINY lost the wicket of Steven Taylor in the first over but went on to chase the stiff target of 184 with four overs to spare thanks to Pooran’s blitzkrieg.

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  • WATCH: Dwayne Bravo bows down to Kieron Pollard after MINY skipper teases him with ‘fly back home’ gesture in MLC 2023

    WATCH: Dwayne Bravo bows down to Kieron Pollard after MINY skipper teases him with ‘fly back home’ gesture in MLC 2023

    MI New York (MINY) emerged victorious against the Texas Super Kings (TSK) in the Challenger of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2023 and booked their spot into the final of the inaugural event. Meanwhile, TSK were eliminated, and their campaign ended with the loss.

    Asked to bat first, TSK’s top order struggled to find momentum. Although Devon Conway contributed with valuable 38 runs, the other batters failed to capitalize on the start. However, Milind Kumar‘s 37 and David Miller‘s quick 17 runs provided some impetus to the Texas-based team and helped them reach a fighting total of 158 runs in the 20 overs. Trent Boult was the pick of the bowlers for MINY, claiming an impressive 4-wicket haul and conceding just 24 runs in his quota of four overs.

    In reply, MINY showed their mettle and composure during the run chase. Shayan Jahangir set the tone with a blistering 36 runs off just 18 deliveries. Despite a few hiccups in the middle overs, Dewald Brevis steadied the ship with a well-crafted 41 runs off 33 balls for the eventual winners.

    Tim David‘s quickfire 33 runs off just 20 balls in the end ultimately sealed the game for MINY, guiding the New York-based franchise to reach the set target in 19 overs for the loss of four wickets. Daniel Sams and Calvin Savage took one wicket each for TSK but couldn’t prevent the defeat.

    Kieron Pollard pokes fun at Dwayne Bravo:

    Following the win, MINY skipper Kieron Pollard was seen hilariously teasing his old friend and TSK all-rounder Dwayne Bravo. It is worth mentioning that Pollard and Bravo have played together for the West Indies team at international level in the past and share a great bond with each other. The duo is even famous for their funny banters on and off the field.

    Something similar happened after Pollard’s team eliminated TSK from the final race when the MINY skipper poked fun at Bravo with a ‘fly back home’ gesture. Pollard kept taunting Bravo with aroplane hand moments while Bravo smiled and bowed down to his compatriot. The two friends later hugged each other with broad smiles on their faces.

    Here’s the video:

    MINY will now face Seattle Orcas (SEO) in the final of MLLC 2023 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Sunday (July 30).

    Also WATCH: Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard engage in a hilarious banter after CSK equal MI’s feat of 5 IPL titles



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  • Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten knock takes Seattle Orcas to the final of MLC 2023

    Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten knock takes Seattle Orcas to the final of MLC 2023

    The Seattle Orcas (SEO) clashed with the Texas Super Kings (TSK) in the Qualifier match of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2023 tournament at the Grand Prairie Stadium on Thursday evening. Texas Super Kings won the toss and elected to bat first.

    Batting first, the Texas Super Kings struggled to find momentum against an impressive bowling display from the Seattle Orcas. They managed to post a total of 126-9 in their allotted 20 overs. Devon Conway and Cody Chetty were the top scorers with 24 runs each, while Daniel Sams contributed a crucial 26 runs down the order. Andrew Tye was the pick of the bowlers for the Orcas, claiming three wickets, while Imad Wasim and Harmeet Singh provided crucial breakthroughs.

    Chasing a target of 127, the Seattle Orcas had a fantastic start, courtesy of their explosive opener Quinton de Kock. The left-handed batter was in sublime form, smashing 88 runs off just 50 balls, which included 10 fours and 4 sixes. His aggressive batting took the game away from the Super Kings as he built a match-winning partnership with Shehan Jayasuriya, who played a steady knock of 31 runs. The Orcas reached the target comfortably in 15 overs with 9 wickets to spare, finishing at 127/1.

    De Kock’s blistering innings earned him the well-deserved ‘Player of the Match’ award, and his outstanding performance ensured the Seattle Orcas became the first team to qualify for the final. Throughout the tournament, the Orcas have shown exceptional dominance, and this victory in the Qualifier only reinforced their status as the team to beat.

    Also READ: Dewald Brevis, Trent Boult shine as MI New York eliminate Washington Freedom – MLC 2023

    The Texas Super Kings, despite the loss, will get another chance in the Eliminator match to make their way to the final.

    “It’s a bad day at the office. We thought the pitch was going to be real slow. But it’s night time so I think we made a mistake at the toss,” the Super Kings captain Faf du Plessis said in the post-match presentation.

    “[The ball] Came on to the bat better later and they played really well. Big wake-up call for tomorrow and we’ll have to be better in all areas. The beautiful thing about tomorrow is that it’s a new day,” he added.

    Also Checkout: Major League Cricket 2023 Stats – Highest Scores



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  • WATCH: MI New York skipper Kieron Pollard hits the biggest 110m six of MLC 2023 against Seattle Orcas

    WATCH: MI New York skipper Kieron Pollard hits the biggest 110m six of MLC 2023 against Seattle Orcas

    The 15th match of the exhilarating Major League Cricket (MLC) 2023 tournament showcased an intense battle between MI New York and Seattle Orcas on Tuesday at Church Street Park in Morrisville. The clash turned out to be a nail-biting thriller, leaving the spectators on the edge of their seats.

    In a high-scoring contest, both Seattle and New York exhibited exceptional batting prowess, with both sides smashing scores exceeding 190. Ultimately, it was the Seattle who clinched a sensational 2-wicket victory. The standout performer of the game was South African star Heinrich Klaase, who remained unbeaten and blazed an extraordinary century. Klaasen’s unbeaten 110 played a pivotal role in Seattle successfully chasing down the formidable target of 195 with just four balls to spare, a feat that left the crowd in awe.

    However, it wasn’t just the Klaasen who stole the spotlight during this electrifying match. MI New York’s skipper, Kieron Pollard, alongside wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran, demonstrated exceptional batting prowess as well. The duo’s quick-fire partnership of 67 runs for the fourth wicket gave their team a competitive edge.

    It was during this partnership that Pollard, the former West Indies captain, showcased his unparalleled power by hitting a jaw-dropping 110-metre-long six, the biggest six of the MLC 2023 season thus far. The incredible moment unfolded in the 12th over bowled by Seattle Orcas’ Cameron Gannon.

    Gannon delivered a slower-one short ball outside the off-stump, presenting an opportunity to the dynamic Pollard. Displaying incredible timing and brute force, the Trinidadian cleared his front leg and smashed the ball over mid-wicket, sending it soaring an astounding 110 meters.

    The colossal six left fans and players alike astonished, with the moment quickly gaining attention on social media. Cricket enthusiasts from around the world took to social media to praise Pollard’s exceptional display of power-hitting.

    Here is the video:



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  • MLC 2023: Texas Super Kings qualify for playoffs on the back of Daniel Sams’ incredible 42 against San Francisco Unicorns

    MLC 2023: Texas Super Kings qualify for playoffs on the back of Daniel Sams’ incredible 42 against San Francisco Unicorns

    The 14th match of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2023 witnessed an exhilarating battle between San Francisco Unicorns (SFU) and Texas Super Kings (TSK) at Church Street Park. The match lived up to its hype as both teams showcased their skills and determination, leaving the spectators on the edge of their seats until the very end.

    After winning the toss, the Unicorns elected to bat and posted a competitive total of 171/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Matthew Wade led the charge for the Unicorns with a blazing knock of 49 runs off 30 deliveries, comprising four boundaries and three sixes. Chaitanya Bishnoi provided crucial support, adding 35 runs from 21 balls to the total. On the other hand, the Super Kings bowlers put up a disciplined performance, with Gerald Coetzee leading the attack with impressive figures of 4 wickets for 31 runs in his 4 overs.

    Chasing 172 for victory, TSK showed their resilience and hunger for win. Despite a shaky start that saw captain Faf du Plessis departing for a two-ball duck, Devon Conway (30 runs off 27 balls) and Milind Kumar (52 runs off 42 balls) steadied the innings with crucial contributions.

    The match took a thrilling turn when Daniel Sams came to the crease. The explosive batsman unleashed a fierce onslaught, smashing 42 runs off just 18 deliveries, including 2 fours and 4 sixes. His fiery knock proved to be the game-changer, propelling the Super Kings towards victory.

    In the end, the Super Kings managed to reach the target with five balls to spare, scoring 172/7 in 19.1 overs. The Unicorns’ bowlers fought hard, but ‘Player of the Match’ Sams’ explosive display with the bat proved too much for them.

    With this 3-wicket victory, the Super Kings secured their spot in the playoffs of the inaugural MLC tournament.



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  • MLC 2023: SEO vs TSK Dream11 Prediction – Pitch Report, Playing XI, & Fantasy Tips

    MLC 2023: SEO vs TSK Dream11 Prediction – Pitch Report, Playing XI, & Fantasy Tips

    In what promises to be an exhilarating encounter, the Seattle Orcas and Texas Super Kings are set to lock horns in the 10th game of the Major League Cricket (MLC 2023) tournament on July 21. The match will take place at the Church Street Park Ground in Morrisville, North Carolina, and is scheduled to commence at 3 AM IST (July 22).

    Currently ranked second in the points table, the Seattle Orcas have been a force to be reckoned with in MLC 2023. Boasting a healthy net run-rate (NRR) of 1.043, the Orcas have been on an impressive winning streak, recording two back-to-back victories. So far, they remain undefeated in the tournament, showcasing exceptional all-round cricket skills and determination. With the desire to maintain their winning momentum, the Orcas are determined to cement their position at the top of the table.

    On the other hand, the Texas Super Kings are currently leading the pack as the table toppers in MLC 2023. They have been in formidable form, securing two wins out of three matches played so far. With a strong NRR of 1.333, the Super Kings will enter the clash against the Orcas with confidence and determination to retain their top spot in the tournament standings.

    Pitch report:

    The Church Street Park Ground in Morrisville is expected to provide a balanced contest between bat and ball. As this will be the first match of the tournament at this venue, the teams winning the toss are likely to opt for bowling first. By doing so, they hope to gain crucial insights into the surface conditions, enabling them to formulate better strategies.

    Probable Playing XI:

    Seattle Orcas: Quinton de Kock (wk), Nauman Anwar, Shimron Hetmyer, Heinrich Klaasen, Imad Wasim, Shehan Jayasuriya, Shubham Ranjane, Cameron Gannon, Wayne Parnell (c), Harmeet Singh, Andrew Tye.

    Texas Super Kings: Devon Conway (wk), Faf du Plessis (c), Lahiru Milantha, David Miller, Milind Kumar, Mitchell Santner, Dwayne Bravo, Calvin Savage, Gerald Coetzee, Mohammad Mohsin, Rusty Theron.

    Dream11 Prediction:

    • Wicketkeepers: Devon Conway (c), Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock
    • Batters: Shimron Hetmyer, David Miller, Faf du Plessis
    • All-rounders: Mitchell Santner, Imad Wasim (vc), Daniel Sams, Dwayne Bravo
    • Bowler: Andre Tye

    Squads:

    Seattle Orcas: Quinton de Kock(w), Nauman Anwar, Shehan Jayasuriya, Heinrich Klaasen, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Ranjane, Imad Wasim, Cameron Gannon, Wayne Parnell(c), Harmeet Singh, Andrew Tye, Hayden Walsh, Angelo Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Dwaine Pretorius, Nisarg Patel, Phani Simhadri, Matthew Tromp, Aaron Jones

    Texas Super Kings: Devon Conway(w), Faf du Plessis(c), Cody Chetty, David Miller, Mitchell Santner, Dwayne Bravo, Milind Kumar, Mohammad Mohsin, Rusty Theron, Zia-ul-Haq, Calvin Savage , Cameron Stevenson, Lahiru Milantha, Imran Tahir, Sami Aslam, Daniel Sams, Gerald Coetzee, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Zia Shahzad

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  • MLC 2023: LAKR vs SFU – Pitch Report, Probable XI, Fantasy Cricket Tips & Dream11 Prediction

    MLC 2023: LAKR vs SFU – Pitch Report, Probable XI, Fantasy Cricket Tips & Dream11 Prediction

    Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) will square off with San Francisco Unicorns (SFU) in the eighth match of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2023 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. The clash between the two sides is scheduled to begin at 6:00 am IST (July 19), 12:30 am GMT (July 18) and 07:30 pm local time (July 18).

    The Knight Riders are currently facing immense pressure as they find themselves at the bottom of the points table with a woeful net run rate (NRR) of -4.35. With two heavy defeats in their name, they are in desperate need of a turnaround before it’s too late. The team’s batting performance has been a major concern, as they struggled in both of their previous matches in the tournament.

    On the other hand, the Unicorns are currently at 5th position in the points table, with an NRR of -0.325. They started the competition on a positive note with a victory versus MI New York (MINY) but suffered a setback in their subsequent game against Seattle Orcas (SEO). As they approach their next fixture, the team will focus on strengthening their batting lineup in order to regain their winning momentum.

    Pitch report:

    The pitch at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas offers favourable conditions for the batters, providing them with an advantage. Nevertheless, as the game progresses, the bowlers will also play a crucial role and their impact will increase.

    Probable XI:

    Los Angeles Knight Riders: Martin Guptill, Unmukt Chand, Jaskaran Malhotra (wk), Nitish Kumar, Rilee Rossouw, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine (c), Lockie Ferguson, Corne Dry, Ali Khan, Adam Zampa

    San Francisco Unicorns: Finn Allen, Matthew Wade (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Finch (c), Corey Anderson, Shadab Khan, Tajinder Dhillon, Chaitanya Bishnoi, Carmi le Roux, Haris Rauf, Liam Plunkett

    Dream11 Prediction:

    Wicketkeepers: Matthew Wade
    Batters: Finn Allen, Martin Guptill, Corey Anderson, Rilee Rossouw
    All-rounders: Andre Russell (vc), Sunil Narine, Shadab Khan (c), Marcus Stoinis
    Bowlers: Liam Plunkett, Lockie Ferguson

    Match Prediction:

    Case 1:

    • LAKR wins the toss and bats first
    • Powerplay score: 35-40
    • LAKR total: 150-160

    Case 2:

    • SFU wins the toss and bats first
    • Powerplay score: 40-45
    • SFU total: 160-170

    Team batting first to win the contest.

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  • MLC 2023: TSK vs MINY – Pitch Report, Probable XI, Fantasy Cricket Tips & Dream11 Prediction

    MLC 2023: TSK vs MINY – Pitch Report, Probable XI, Fantasy Cricket Tips & Dream11 Prediction

    Texas Super Kings (TSK) will lock horns with MI New York (MINY) in the seventh match of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2023 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. The contest between the two sides is scheduled to begin at 6:00 am IST (July 18), 12:30 am GMT (July 18) and 07:30 pm local time (July 17).

    Speaking of the previous matches of the two teams, TSK lost their last encounter to Washington Freedom (WAF) by six runs, whereas MINY registered a massive 105-run win over Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR).

    Although Dwayne Bravo shined for TSK in their match against WAF and hammered quickfire 76 runs off 39 deliveries, he failed to get his team across the line. Meanwhile, Tim David was the standout performer for the New York-based side in their comprehensive victory over LAKR. David scored an unbeaten 48 off 21 deliveries for his side.

    The Texas-based team will now look to bounce back from the previous loss when they meet MINY. On the other hand, New York will be determined to carry the winning momentum from the last match.

    Pitch Report:

    The track at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas provides more help to the batters. However, the bowlers will also come into play and become more influential as the game unfolds. The average first-inning score at the venue is 170, and the team winning the toss would look to bat first.

    Probable XI:

    Texas Super Kings: Devon Conway (wk), Faf du Plessis (c), Lahiru Milantha, David Miller, Milind Kumar, Mitchell Santner, Dwayne Bravo, Calvin Savage, Gerald Coetzee, Mohammad Mohsin, Rusty Theron

    MI New York: Dewald Brevis, Monank Patel, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Tim David, Hammad Azam, Shayan Jahangir, Ehsan Adil, Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada, Nosthush Kenjige

    Dream11 Prediction:

    • Wicketkeepers: Devon Conway, Nicholas Pooran
    • Batters: Faf du Plessis, David Miller, Tim David, Kieron Pollard (vc)
    • All-rounders: Dwayne Bravo (c), Mitchell Santner
    • Bowlers: Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee

    Match Prediction:

    Case 1:

    • TSK wins the toss and bats first
    • Powerplay score: 40-50
    • TSK total: 170-180

    Case 2:

    • MINY wins the toss and bats first
    • Powerplay score: 55-65
    • MINY total: 180-190

    Team batting first to win the contest.

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  • MLC 2023: SFU vs SEO – Pitch Report, Probable XI, Fantasy Cricket Tips & Dream11 Prediction

    MLC 2023: SFU vs SEO – Pitch Report, Probable XI, Fantasy Cricket Tips & Dream11 Prediction

    San Francisco Unicorns (SFU) will battle against Seattle Orcas (SEO) in the fourth match of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2023 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. The match between the two teams is scheduled to begin at 6:00 am IST (July 16), 12:30 am GMT (July 15) and 07:30 pm local time (July 14).

    Speaking of their previous encounters, SFU and SEO emerged victorious in their opening games of the MLC 2023. The San Francisco-based team defeated MI New York (MINY) in their last match, while Seattle started their campaign with a win over Washington Freedom (WAF).

    Corey Anderson (91) and Shadab Khan (61) were the standout performers for SFU in their win against MINY, with Liam Plunkett and Carmi le Roux claiming two wickets each. On the other hand, Nauman Anwar (48) and Imad Wasim (43) shined for SEO in their victory over WAF. Among bowlers, Wayne Parnell and Harmeet Singh bagged two wickets each for Seattle.

    Starting their campaigns with wins, both SFU and SEO will now look to carry the momentum in second match as well.

    Pitch Report:

    The playing surface at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas initially provides an advantage to the batters, but as the game progresses, the bowlers also become influential. The average score at this venue is 170, and the team winning the toss will look to bat first.

    Probable XI:

    San Francisco Unicorns: Matthew Wade (wk), Finn Allen, Aaron Finch (c), Corey Anderson, Marcus Stoinis, Tajinder Dhillon, Chaitanya Bishnoi, Shadab Khan, Carmi le Roux, Haris Rauf, Liam Plunkett

    Seattle Orcas: Quinton de Kock (wk), Nauman Anwar, Shimron Hetmyer, Heinrich Klaasen, Imad Wasim, Shehan Jayasuriya, Shubham Ranjane, Cameron Gannon, Wayne Parnell (c), Harmeet Singh, Andrew Tye

    Dream11 Prediction:

    • Wicketkeepers: Quinton De Kock, Henrich Klaasen, Matthew Wade
    • Batters: Shimron Hetmyer, Aaron Finch (c), Corey Anderson
    • All-rounders: Imad Wasim, Marcus Stoinis, Shadab Khan (vc)
    • Bowlers: Andrew Tye, Wayne Parnell

    Match Prediction:

    Case 1:

    • SFU wins the toss and bats first
    • Powerplay score: 55-65
    • SFU total: 190-200

    Case 2:

    • SEO wins the toss and bats first
    • Powerplay score: 40-50
    • SEO total: 170-180

    Team batting first to win the contest.

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  • MLC 2023: Corey Anderson, Shadab Khan power San Francisco Unicorns to a 22-run win over MI New York

    MLC 2023: Corey Anderson, Shadab Khan power San Francisco Unicorns to a 22-run win over MI New York

    In a captivating match of the Major League Cricket 2023, San Francisco Unicorns (SFU) emerged victorious against MI New York (MINY) by 22 runs at the Grand Prairie Stadium on Friday. The Unicorns won the toss and elected to bat first, setting a challenging target for their opponents.

    SFU showcased a formidable batting performance, amassing a total of 215 runs for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Corey Anderson led the charge with a breathtaking knock of 91 runs off just 52 deliveries, including four fours and seven sixes. He was ably supported by Shadab Khan, who played a blazing innings of 61 runs off 30 balls, comprising four fours and five sixes. Their partnership played a crucial role in propelling the Unicorns to a commanding total.

    The New York bowlers put up a spirited effort, with Trent Boult and Kagiso Rabada claiming two wickets each. However, they faced a formidable onslaught from the Unicorns’ batters, as the opposition posted a massive total on the board.

    In pursuit of 216 runs for victory, MINY launched a valiant chase. Contributions from Nicholas Pooran (40 runs off 28 balls), Kieron Pollard (48 runs off 27 balls), and Tim David (53 runs off 28 balls) kept their hopes alive. But, they fell short of the target, reaching 193 runs for the loss of five wickets in their stipulated 20 overs.

    SFU bowlers displayed commendable performances to restrict the opposition. Carmi le Roux and Liam Plunkett grabbed two scalps each, while Shadab picked up the crucial wicket of Dewald Brevis. Their disciplined bowling effort prevented the New York side from mounting a successful chase.

    In recognition of his exceptional innings, Anderson was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’. His explosive batting display set the foundation for the Unicorns’ victory.



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