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Faf du Plessis’ Century, Akeal Hosein’s Spell Propel Texas Super Kings into MLC 2025 Playoffs
Texas Super Kings Dominate MI New York in a High-Scoring Contest in Dallas
The Texas Super Kings (TSK) became the third team to seal their spot in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 playoffs, thanks to a match-winning hundred from captain Faf du Plessis and a precise spell of spin bowling from Akeal Hosein. TSK thrashed MI New York (MINY) by 39 runs in a do-or-die league-stage encounter at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas, strengthening their credentials as strong title contenders.
Du Plessis Leads with the Bat in a TSK Run-Fest
Captain’s Ton Lays Foundation for Big Total
After being sent in to bat, Faf du Plessis showed class and aggression, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 103 off just 53 balls, an innings laced with 9 sixes and 5 fours. He brought up his half-century inside the powerplay and never looked back, maintaining an aggressive strike rate throughout.
Du Plessis found valuable support from Saiteja Mukkamalla (25) and Marcus Stoinis (25), as both chipped in with vital cameos to keep the scoreboard ticking. However, it was Donovan Ferreira’s explosive finish—a 20-ball 53—that catapulted the Super Kings to a daunting 223/4 in 20 overs.
Check out TSK’s journey through the MLC 2025 league stage
Hosein Spins Web Around MI New York
Pooran Fails, Pollard’s Fightback Not Enough
MI New York, looking to chase down the steep target, made a bold move by promoting Nicholas Pooran to open the innings. However, it backfired as he managed just 8 runs before falling to Nandre Burger. While Quinton de Kock tried to rebuild with a run-a-ball 35, the chase never really gained momentum.
The standout bowling performance came from Akeal Hosein, whose spell turned the game decisively in TSK’s favor. Hosein bowled a maiden over, picked up 3 crucial wickets—de Kock, Monank Patel, and the dangerous Tajinder Dhillon—and finished with match-defining figures of 3 for 15.
At the halfway mark, MINY were 75/3, significantly behind the required rate. Despite Kieron Pollard’s late fireworks—a 39-ball 70 that included towering sixes—the target always felt out of reach.
TSK Hold Nerve to Seal 39-Run Win
Pollard, assisted briefly by Michael Bracewell (26), kept MI New York’s hopes alive. But when Nandre Burger returned to dismiss Pollard in the 19th over, the result was inevitable. MINY limped to 184/9 in their 20 overs, falling short by 39 runs.
With this dominant win, Texas Super Kings have officially qualified for the playoffs, while MI New York’s future now hinges on the outcomes of other matches.
“It was a captain’s knock of the highest quality from Faf, and Hosein’s control in the middle overs was brilliant,” said Marcus Stoinis in the post-match conference.
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