Pooran takes IPL, World Cup form into Major League

MORRISVILLE, North Carolina (CMC):

NICHOLAS POORAN put his Twenty20 World Cup disappointment behind him with a Man-of-the-Match half-century as reigning champions MI New York opened the defence of their Major League Cricket title with a six-wicket win over Seattle Orcas on Friday night.

Asked to chase a paltry 109 at Church Street Park, MI New York made light work of the target to get over the line in the 15th over, with the left-handed Pooran top-scoring with an unbeaten 62 off just 37 deliveries.

The chase was in trouble at 16 for two at the end of the third over before Pooran arrived at number three to lash seven fours and two sixes in a knock which put the result to rest.

He dominated a 41-run third-wicket stand with Shayan Jahangir (three) before putting on 26 for the fourth with Tim David (12) and a further 28 with Kieron Pollard (eight not out) in an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership.

Sent in, Orcas were dismissed for 108 at the start of the final over with Shubham Ranjane top-scoring with 35 off 31 balls with a brace of fours and sixes.

early slump

Barbados-born United States batsman Aaron Jones (12) was part of an early slump as Orcas found themselves tottering on 31 for four in the eighth over, after New Zealand left-arm seamer Trent Boult ripped through the top order to finish with three for 25.

Afghan superstar leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who starred in the recent T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, picked up three for 22.

In Dallas at the Grand Prairie Stadium, neither Sunil Narine nor Andre Russell had any impact but their Los Angeles Knight Riders did enough to beat Texas Super Kings by 12 runs.