By Tim Douglas 
Boult’s Brilliance With Ball and Bat Sends MI New York to Qualifier 2
In a dramatic Eliminator clash that had everything from a top-order collapse to a lower-order rescue act, it was the seasoned Trent Boult who stood tallest, guiding MI New York to a thrilling 2-wicket win over San Francisco Unicorns with just three balls to spare.
Tasked with chasing a modest 132 on a rain-shortened surface, MI New York made a cautious start. Quinton de Kock and Monank Patel looked settled, easing the side to 37/0 after the powerplay. But the calm quickly gave way to chaos.
Matthew Short triggered the collapse with a double strike, removing both de Kock and skipper Nicholas Pooran in the same over. Monank attempted to anchor the innings, but his resistance ended at 33 when Short returned to trap him.
With MI New York still in command at 92/3, a sudden slide saw them lose five wickets for just 16 runs. Hassan Khan delivered two game-changing overs, scalping four wickets including Bracewell, Heath Richards, Tajinder Singh, and Tristan Luus. At 108/8, MI were staring at elimination.
Enter Trent Boult and Nosthush Kenjige. The Kiwi pacer showcased nerves of steel, launching two massive sixes in the 19th over to tilt the balance. His unbeaten 22, combined with Kenjige’s resolve, formed a match-winning ninth-wicket stand that left the Unicorns stunned.
Earlier, Boult and Kenjige had dismantled the Unicorns’ top order in devastating fashion. The Unicorns were reduced to 21/5 inside five overs, with Boult accounting for Seifert, Fraser-McGurk, and Hassan Khan in a fiery spell. Kenjige chipped in with the wickets of Matthew Short and Krishnamurthi.
Only Xavier Bartlett offered any resistance, smashing 44 off 24 balls with four sixes to push the total to 131. Rushil Ugarkar kept things tight with figures of 3/19, ensuring the Unicorns never found momentum.
Player of the Match, Boult was the difference-maker in both innings. With this win, MI New York set up a MLC Qualifier 2 showdown with Texas Super Kings on Friday evening.
Match Summary
San Francisco Unicorns: 131/10 in 19.3 overs (Xavier Bartlett 44 (24), Cooper Connolly 23, Brody Couch 19; Rushil Ugarkar 3/19, Trent Boult 2/19, Nosthush Kenjige 2/43)
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
Anas Ahmed