Major League Cricket: Nicholas Pooran shines as MI New York beat Seattle Orcas by 6 wickets

NEW DELHI: Nicholas Pooran smashed an unbeaten 62 off 37 balls to lead reigning champions MI New York to a triumphant start in Major League Cricket 2024, beating Seattle Orcas by six wickets at Church Street Park in Morrisville.

After winning the toss, Kieron Pollard decided to field again. The Seattle Orcas team restricted the score to 108 all out in 19.1 overs.

Fiery pacer Trent Boult and star player Rashid Khan took three wickets each, while Pollard contributed two wickets.


MI New York faced setbacks early on, losing two wickets for just 16 runs in their pursuit of 108.

Pooran, however, took charge and hit two sixes and seven boundaries in a quick innings of 37 balls to guide his team to victory in just 14.2 overs.

Pooran was adjudged Man of the Match for his stunning batting performance.

“It’s nice to start with a win, the most important thing is to start well. We had a great powerplay, Rashid came and did his job, it was important that everyone stepped up and contributed to the win,” Pooran said after the match.


“I wanted to understand the state of the game, the match-ups and the condition of the wicket. I just played to the merit of the ball,” he said.

MI New York captain Pollard praised Pooran and Rashid after his team won the opening match of the tournament.

“It was a good toss to win, bowling in this heat. The bowlers got going well and stuck to their plans. We made a few additions to the team, everyone understands their responsibility as well,” Pollard said.

“To be able to call up one of the senior bowlers in the circuit (over Rashid Khan), kudos to the management for picking him up. We all know how dangerous he can be (over Nic Pooran), on his day he can win a match on his own and he is someone who can push the boundaries. Nice to start with a win and I am looking forward to the next match coming up soon,” he added.