Cricket Highlights, July 09: MLC 2025 (Eliminator Match) – SFU vs MINY

SFU vs MINY (Eliminator Match) – Highlights

In a match that had more twists than a Bollywood thriller, MI New York survived a late scare to snatch victory from the jaws of the San Francisco Unicorns in the MLC 2025 Eliminator at Dallas. Chasing a modest total of 132, the men in blue wobbled, stumbled, and nearly handed it over, but Trent Boult emerged as the unexpected hero with bat and ball to see them over the line with three deliveries to spare.

The evening began with San Francisco Unicorns winning the toss and choosing to bat first, but their top order collapsed like a house of cards in a wind tunnel. The innings started with promise but quickly descended into chaos. Matthew Short, leading the side, fell early to Kenjige, and from there it was a parade of wickets. Within the space of just eight balls, SF went from 7 for 1 to a shocking 16 for 5. Boult and Kenjige inflicted the early damage, while Pooran’s brilliant fielding ran out Hassan Khan, adding insult to injury.

With the top order gone and the middle order barely resisting, it was Xavier Bartlett who injected life into the innings. His 44 off 24 balls, including four towering sixes, gave the innings a pulse it sorely needed. Brody Couch (19) and Plunkett (7) chipped in briefly, but once Bartlett fell to Pollard, it was just a matter of crawling to 131. Rushil Ugarkar cleaned up the tail, finishing with three wickets, while Boult stood out with 2 for 19 in his full quota.

Like seasoned chefs, Monank and de Kock carefully prepped the chase, serving up boundaries with finesse before the kitchen got too hot. Both batters compiled 33 each and had New York sitting comfortably at 43 for no loss. But just as the innings seemed set to cruise, Matthew Short spun his web. He dismissed both openers and the dangerous Nicholas Pooran in quick succession, suddenly throwing the match wide open.

The Unicorns capitalized on that opening as Hassan Khan ran riot through the middle order. Pollard, Singh, Richards, and Luus all fell victim to Khan’s accuracy and flight, with the scoreboard reading 108 for 8. The game, seemingly in MI New York’s pocket earlier, now looked like it might slip away.

Then entered Trent Boult, the night’s undisputed hero. Known more for his left-arm swing than his late-order batting, Boult unleashed a counterattack that turned the match on its head. His unbeaten 22 off 13 balls, including two critical sixes, swung the momentum back in New York’s favor. Nosthush Kenjige provided calm support at the other end, and the pair held their nerve to chase down the total in 19.3 overs.

It was a night where fortunes flipped faster than a T20 coin toss. San Francisco Unicorns will rue their top-order collapse, despite Bartlett’s late fireworks and Khan’s excellent spell. For MI New York, it was a gritty, nervy win—one powered by Boult’s all-round brilliance, earning him the Player of the Match.

Also read: Cricket Highlights, July 06: MLC 2025 (29th Match) – MINY vs WF

San Francisco Unicorns vs. MI New York Scoreboard

San Francisco Unicorns – 131 (19.1 / 20)

MI New York – 132/8 (19.3 / 20)

Result – New York won by 2 wickets (with 3 balls remaining)

Player of the Match – Trent Boult

SFU vs MINY Playing Eleven

Disclaimer: This match highlight is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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