League: Cricket
In a thrilling encounter between MI New York and Los Angeles Knight Riders, the spotlight shone brightly on a heartwarming gesture by MI New York’s captain, Kieron Pollard. The 19th of the Major League Cricket 2024 (MLC) match saw Pollard’s explosive performance and a remarkable act of sportsmanship that captured fans’ hearts.
During the 15th over of the second innings, with MI New York chasing a target set by the Knight Riders, Pollard was in scintillating form. Facing Spencer Johnson, the captain unleashed a barrage of powerful strokes, hitting three consecutive sixes. One of these mighty hits soared into the stands and inadvertently struck a fan.
Following the match, Pollard made it a point to apologise to the fan personally. He demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship and visited her after the game, offering his signed cap and taking a selfie together. This gesture underscored Pollard’s character and highlighted the human side of sportsmanship.
On the field, Pollard’s dynamic performance was a key highlight. With a striking rate of 275, he amassed 33 runs from just 12 balls, including two fours and three sixes. His contributions with the bat were complemented by his successful bowling spell, where he dismissed his international teammate, Andre Russell, with his very first delivery. Russell, who had started to pose a significant threat, was dismissed on the score of 35 runs, thanks to Pollard’s effective bowling.
Batting first, the Los Angeles Knight Riders set a competitive target of 131 runs. Despite a valiant effort, the Knight Riders were bowled out for 130 runs. MI New York’s bowlers, led by Rashid Khan‘s exceptional performance, played a crucial role in restricting their opponents. Rashid claimed three wickets in his four-over spell, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 5.50.
In response, MI New York chased down the target with impressive efficiency, reaching 134 runs for the loss of six wickets and completing the chase in just the 17th over. This victory secured MI New York’s place as the final team to advance to the playoffs of MLC 2024