Texas vs New York, 21st Match at Dallas, MLC, Jun 29 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

That closes the MLC action for the day. Thank you for tuning in. I hope you all had a great time. Join us for more cricket action from around the world on ESPNcricinfo. Until then, Rashad Mahbub is signing off with Harshith Gowda. Goodbye.

Faf du Plessis: "I think in the first six overs, we try to be nice and positive, so we get that really good start in the Powerplay. But then it did feel like the wicket started to slow down before the game. Also thought it might be a little bit slower than other venues, and that was the case if you took pace off. It wasn't easy. So I thought anything above 185, to get to that 200-plus on that wicket, it was a batting effort from everyone. [Cricket has never left Faf du Plessis behind] Oh, look, I love the drive inside me, that is really big to keep performing whilst I'm playing. I think I've said it the other day, I've got this fear of not living up to my full potential, so it's always squeezing every single inch out of myself that I can to try and be the best player, to make sure I use that potential. I was just happy that we could turn it around. We started off for the first two games here at home, not playing the right style of cricket here, moving from a different venue, so we adapted quickly, and selection, and also the way that we played. So I thought, credit to everyone. Everyone has put their hand up at different stages. So few successful games here now for us, but now we move to a new venue where we have to assess what that pitch is going to be like and pick our team accordingly."

Most Valuable Player, Akeal Hosein: "It's definitely the mindset. I was up for the challenge coming up against this team; they definitely have world-class players, and it takes you to be at the peak of your game to beat these guys. To be honest, I know those guys well [Pollard and Pooran]. We're friends off the field and on the field. Those guys take the cricket seriously, myself as well. So I know it's going to be a no-nonsense challenge. Thankfully, I came out on the positive side today. For me, coming into this match, I set my mind to bowling the Powerplay as well. I had a long night just doing a lot of homework, I would say, on these guys. So I prepared for all situations. So you know that you want to be in such a mind space where if the captain throws the ball to you at any time, you're ready, and you know your plans, and you're ready to execute. [Addicted to cricket] I think growing up, one of the legends of the game, Dwayne Bravo, said, If you want to be the best at this, you have to be a student of the game, be it women's cricket, men's cricket, U-19 cricket. As long as cricket is going on and you have the opportunity to sit back and watch, there's always learning that can take place. So I've taken that up from him, I've taken that knowledge, and for me, it's just about trying to learn and get better every day."

Nicholas Pooran: "First of all, thank you, Jesus, for our praise and thanks. I mean, it's tough. We have been struggling with our bowling throughout the tournament. And obviously, the experience on the end day as well really mattered. We couldn't execute our balls and they played well. [Opening the innings] We know Akeal is obviously their trump card, and that was a match-up for myself as well. Just to try to change your plans a bit. Unfortunately, didn't work out for us there. But in tournaments, I just need to try certain things. And be brief, a lot of things haven't been good in our favor in our various tournaments. So everyone, try something, it didn't work out today, and we'll move on. [Describing Kieron Pollard] He's been incredible. Obviously, he's getting older, but he continues to put in the work, and he continues to show us, he considers teaching us how to go about it when they play cricket. He's scored 70 tonight. Once he was there, we had a chance. And batting in the death is not something easy to do, and he continues to make it look easy. And that's really good. I believe he has a lot of games left in him. He has a lot more runs to score, a lot more wickets. And really nice to see him enjoying the game and contributing. [Chance of qualifying in the Playoffs] Look, it's never over. Tournaments like this, T20 cricket is all about momentum and individual performances as well. We're going to Miami to oversee different conditions as well. So we're looking forward to seeing what happens there. We're very optimistic. MI Franchise has never been out of a tournament, and all the teams know that. So we do know when, once we get one win. I think it changed for us, it's been difficult for us, and we have accepted that."

Parnika Rghvnsh: "Ferreira's catch reminds us of SKY'z catch exactly after 1 year! 29th June looks like a special day for such catches."

10:56 pm The Texas Super Kings have secured their Playoff spot in this MLC edition, thanks to a superb bowling performance. MI New York's new opening experiment, Nicholas Pooran, promoting himself to open with Quinton de Kock, misfired a pull shot early, and another in-form batter, Monank Patel, quickly followed him back to the dugout in Akeal Hosein's very first over. Akeal Hosein was the best bowler, tearing the MI New York batting lineup with three wickets for 15 runs. Despite the shortcomings of the top order, Kieron Pollard batted valiantly against the odds, scoring 70 runs off 39 deliveries. However, the Super Kings' target proved too much for MI New York, as a lack of assistance from their top order, except a lone knock by Quinton de Kock, made the chase difficult. The Super Kings' bowling team performed well, with Akeal Hosein taking three wickets and Marcus Stoinis and Nandre Burger both taking two. Post Match Presentation coming up shortly.

Texas Super Kings won by 39 runs

Faf heads back to the dressing room, high-five all around

57 runs off 12 balls. Nandre Burger to bowl the penultimate over

Stoinis in