Pollard, Pooran end MI New York losing skid

DALLAS, Texas (CMC):

FORMER WEST Indies white-ball captains, Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran, produced contrasting knocks as MI New York notched their first win in six outings with a four-wicket verdict over LA Knight Riders in the Major League Cricket tournament on Sunday.

Chasing 131 at Grand Prairie Stadium, the embattled reigning champions overhauled their target with four overs to spare, the left-handed Pooran top-scoring with a patient 35 not out from 28 balls and Pollard blasting a robust 12-ball unbeaten 33.

MI New York appeared to be heading for the fifth defeat of a dismal season when they slipped to 42 for three in the eighth over.

However, Pooran arrived to put on 36 for the fourth wicket with Heath Richards (11) and a further 35 for the sixth with Pollard.

Pooran struck two fours and two sixes while Pollard clobbered two fours and three sixes to help MI New York lift the tempo of their chase and take them over the line.

Former West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine led Knight Riders’ attack with two for 24 from four overs.

Sent in earlier, Knight Riders needed Andre Russell’s 35 off 21 deliveries to get up to 130 all out in the final over.

Englishman Jason Roy struck 27 at the top of the order but even then, Knight Riders found themselves teetering on 81 for seven in the 15th over, captain Narine falling cheaply for six.

Russell lashed half-dozen fours and a six to rescue his side, adding 28 for the last wicket with Josh Little (four).

With the win, MI New York moved into fourth on five points.