Pooran, Pollard fail as MI New York tumble out

DALLAS, Texas (CMC):

Superstars Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard both failed as MI New York’s miserable defence of their Major League Cricket title ended with a seven-wicket defeat to Texas Super Kings in the eliminator here Wednesday night.

Sent in at Grand Prairie Stadium, MI New York rallied to a competitive 163 for eight from their 20 overs after finding themselves 18 for two in the fourth over, Rashid Khan top-scoring with 55 from 30 balls.

Pooran (8) and Pollard (6), both former West Indies white-ball captains, failed to make an impression.

In reply, South African Faf du Plessis blasted 72 off 47 deliveries to spearhead the run chase, with fellow opener Devon Conway of New Zealand chipping in with 51 off 43 balls and Australia Aaron Hardie finishing unbeaten on 40 off 22 deliveries.

MI New York qualified for the playoffs, but won just two of their seven games in a poor preliminary showing.

Not for the first time, they endured a poor start when they lost Dewald Brevis to the fourth ball of the game without a run on the board and then lost the left-handed Pooran who was caught at mid-on in the fourth over from medium pacer Marcus Stoinis (2-18).

Monank Patel, who struck 48 from 41 balls, then anchored two key stands – posting 49 for the third with opener Shayan Jahangir (25) and a further 35 for the fourth wicket with Rashid Khan.

Once Monank departed, Rashid Khan dominated a 53-run, fifth-wicket partnership with West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd (seven not out), to inspire momentum at the back end of the innings.

Super Kings never wavered in their response. Captain du Plessis stroked half-dozen fours and three sixes in a 101-run first-wicket stand with Conway who counted three fours and a six in his knock, to lay the foundation.

Hardie then entered to lash three fours and two sixes and add the finishing touches in a 66-run, unbroken second-wicket partnership with Conway, as Super Kings reached their target with nine balls to spare.