MLC 2025MLCT20 LeaguesTrent Boult
Trent Boult’s All-Round Heroics Power MI New York Past SFU in MLC Knockout Thriller
Boult’s Sixes Seal Nail-Biting Win for MI New York
In a dramatic, low-scoring thriller that swung like a pendulum, Trent Boult’s late-order heroics with both ball and bat helped MI New York (MINY) overcome a spirited challenge from the San Francisco Unicorns (SFU) and secure a place in the MLC 2025 Challenger. The match, played in Dallas, saw MINY clinch their first-ever victory over SFU in Major League Cricket history, eliminating last year’s runners-up from the tournament.
Boult, who returned impressive bowling figures of 2 for 19, later played the role of a finisher with an unbeaten 22 off 9 balls, including two match-defining sixes in the penultimate over.
MINY Survive Spin Scare as Hassan Khan Turns Game on Its Head
Late Drama as MI New York Lose 4 Wickets in 13 Balls
Chasing 134 for victory, MINY were well on track at 37/0, but a spin-fueled collapse followed. Matthew Short triggered the turnaround by removing Quinton de Kock and Nicholas Pooran in a single over, while Monank Patel and Michael Bracewell slowed down under scoreboard pressure.
After Monank’s dismissal for 33, the chase turned chaotic. Xavier Bartlett sent back Kieron Pollard, and then Hassan Khan delivered two sensational overs. His left-arm spin dismantled the lower-middle order with two wickets each in the 16th and 18th overs, reducing MINY to 108/8.
📎 Related: MLC 2025 Playoff Schedule and Points Table
Just when the Unicorns appeared on the brink of an upset, Boult launched a stunning counterattack. Facing Hassan himself, the New Zealand pacer smashed back-to-back sixes over deep midwicket in the 19th over to swing the momentum once again. Four runs were required in the final over, and MINY calmly crossed the line with 3 balls to spare, winning by 2 wickets.
SFU Crumble Early but Bartlett’s Blitz Lifts Them to 133
Put into bat under threatening skies, SFU’s innings never really got going. Trent Boult and Nosthush Kenjige ran riot in the PowerPlay, sharing four wickets between them and reducing the Unicorns to 16/5 in just five overs.
The situation worsened when Hassan Khan was run out without scoring. Brief resistance came from Cooper Connolly, but his dismissal by Tristan Luus and a subsequent blow from Rushil Ugarkar left SFU tottering at 62/7.
However, Xavier Bartlett changed the tone of the innings with a blazing 44 off 24 balls, sharing a 59-run stand with Brody Couch. His counter-punch lifted the total to a defendable 133, before Ugarkar returned to clean up the tail, finishing with 3 for 19.
🔗 External Resource: MLC 2025 Full Scorecard – Cricbuzz
MINY’s Victory Sets Up Challenger Clash with Texas Super Kings
The thrilling win has now set up a Challenger showdown between MI New York and Texas Super Kings, scheduled for Friday. The winner of that contest will face the table-toppers in the MLC 2025 final.
This match will go down as one of the most unpredictable in MLC history, where both sides exchanged momentum multiple times. Ultimately, it was Boult’s composure under pressure that proved decisive.
Boult Steals the Show in Classic MLC Finish
In a match that saw dramatic collapses, late recoveries, and tactical brilliance, Trent Boult emerged as the unlikely batting hero after already excelling with the ball. His two sixes off the dangerous Hassan Khan, who ended with figures of 4 for 30, proved to be the final twist in an incredible game.
MI New York, now a step closer to the final, will take a lot of confidence into their next clash, while San Francisco Unicorns bow out of the tournament after an admirable fightback that fell just short.
🔢 Brief Scores:
SF Unicorns: 133 in 19.1 overs (Xavier Bartlett 44; Rushil Ugarkar 3-19, Trent Boult 2-19)
MI New York: 132/8 in 19.3 overs (Monank Patel 33, Quinton de Kock 33, Trent Boult 22*; Hassan Khan 4-30, Matthew Short 3-22)
Result: MI New York won by 2 wickets
