Los Angeles vs New York, 19th Match at Dallas, MLC, Jul 21 2024 - Ball by Ball Commentary

11:25pm That will be a wrap from us for this game. Hope you enjoyed our coverage, and we will be back with more MLC action tomorrow. Until then, this is goodbye from Chandan, me and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo!

Rashid Khan, Player of the Match: I think it was much-needed for us. Pleased with the win. In the middle overs, when I am bowling, it is crucial for me to take wickets to put pressure on the opposition. Always pleasing when you win such a (must-win) game. It was all about the line and length (on this pitch). Tried to hit the right areas and then bowl my leg-spinners, wrong'uns and straighter ones. (On the ball that dismissed Nitish Kumar) I bowled to him a few quicker balls (which he was keeping out). I bowled that ball from behind the crease, which allowed me to give it more air. It was what I had in mind and it went perfectly. In a short competition, you need momentum and this game has given us momentum and it will help us in the upcoming games.

Kieron Pollard, MI New York captain: Very, very relieved. To qualify for the playoffs…it has been tough for us as a team (this season). Congratulations has to go the entire team. The way we fought and to win by a certain margin, well done to everybody. If you look at the history of how we have batted this season, it was going to be tough. We got an opportunity today to forget what has happened in the past and play one good game of cricket. The attitude everyone brought today was fantastic. (On what worked today with the bat for him) A little bit of experience, I guess. Nosh, a few days back, (Kenjige) told me that I was just one or two knocks away (from being back in form). Have some close confidants here. (On the Russell wicket) No matter what you have accomplished, sometimes you need a bit of confidence. That could have been a defining factor. Rushil bowled three magnificent overs but could not throw him into the deep end. Everything that is being done is in the best interests of the team, and really happy we fought to qualify. I heard a little child was hurt (during the game), and we would love to do something from our side to make her smile.

Sunil Narine, Los Angeles Knight Riders captain: (On where they lost the game) The score. Tough to defend 130, especially against a batting line-up like that. Pooran batted brilliantly and Polly finished it at the end. We fought till the end. (On what needs improvement) I have to probably work on my toss skills (laughs). We did not get good starts. I did not get off in any game. The general vibe in the team was good. When you lose games, the vibe can change. Very good tournament for us, very close to qualifying but still far away. (On if they could have done anything differently when Pollard and Pooran were batting together) Not too sure. We tried everything, it did not work out, they came out on top. We obviously had to go for wickets, and in that, runs can come. (Message to the supporters) We will keep fighting and giving our 100%. The team has been brilliant. Want to give credit to all the guys who have put in the effort.

Nicholas Pooran: We have been in this situation before. Winning the toss today was crucial and the bowlers did their job. (On his approach today) No secret about it: I had to put my hand up and take responsibility. I had to play the waiting game. Important to just be there at the end. Most of the times, in games like this, your presence is important. Happy Polly could finish it off because he needed this one. Today, he wanted to play that finishing role and he is probably better than anyone playing that role. In games like this, he stands up. I joke with him often that he knows how to come back not out and I am not surprised (he did it today). Big games, big players come to the party.

11:01pm Just like last season, MI New York sneak into the playoffs as the fourth-placed side. Bulk of their work was done with the ball but there were moments where it felt it would slip away in the chase. Brevis, though, did enough at the top and Pooran held everything together in the middle, which allowed skipper Pollard to roll up his sleeves and knock the stuffing out of the Knight Riders. This was easily his best knock of the season and he reserved it for when his team needed it most.

An abject and disappointing end to the campaign for LAKR. They bowled with heart and Johnson's opening spell, in particular, was a sight to behold. Narine did his bit through the middle overs too but because of how few they had put up on the board, they were always behind the eight-ball, and it eventually caught up with them, also leading to their elimination from the MLC.

Three needed. Dry to bowl

Rashid strides out

Just five needed now. Can Pooran finish it with one blow?

Ali Khan finally gets a bowl

20 off 22 now for MINY to qualify. Johnson goes around the wicket

34 needed off 26 if MINY are to qualify for the playoffs. Johnson to bowl out too. Perhaps LAKR's last roll of the dice