MI New York, the inaugural Major League Cricket (MLC) champions, have reached the final of the 2025 season. Though they lost some of their games in the league stage, they came into form at the right time. In the MLC 2025 Challenger game, good performances from Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran saw them defeat Texas Super Kings by seven wickets with one over to spare. They will then face off against the reigning champions, Washington Freedom, in the final. Du Plessis and Hosein Shine, But It's Not Enough Clutch knocks on a big night! 🏏⚡#TSKvMINY#WhistleForSuperKings#MLC2025 pic.twitter.com/NhiV3QBslT — Texas Super Kings (@TexasSuperKings) July 12, 2025 MI New York opted to field first after winning the toss. Texas Super Kings lost their opening batter Smit Patel early due to a catch by Tristan Luus. Pollard spilt Faf du Plessis' catch in the following over, but remaining batters such as Saiteja Mukkamalla and Shubham Ranjane were unable to do much and were sent back by Rushil Ugarkar and Luus. Texas Super Kings were 43/3 after six overs. Marcus Stoinis produced a slow innings, while Du Plessis achieved his fifty from 34 balls. They were 67/3 at the halfway stage. Stoinis' sluggish stay came to an end when Agarkar sent him back for only six runs from 11 balls. Du Plessis was also dismissed by Luus after making 59 from 42 balls that consisted of seven fours and one six. Akeal Hosein and Donovan Ferreira provided a good finish in the final overs. Hosein struck two sixes and a four off Pollard to achieve his first-ever T20 half-century. He remained not out on 55 off 32 balls, with four fours and four sixes. Ferreira contributed 32 runs off 20 balls, with three fours and one six. Their 81-run sixth-wicket partnership enabled Texas Super Kings to score a fighting total of 166/5. Also Read | Watch: Hetmyer Hits Last-Ball Six to Seal Thrilling MLC Win Pollard and Pooran Lead a Solid Chase Kieron Pollard was an absolute menace with the bat tonight, offering a game-changing performance that propelled @MINYCricket to victory, as well as the impending Championship final. 🏆 His efforts earned him the title of Stake Player of the Match. 🔥@StakeIND x @stakenewsindia pic.twitter.com/nMQCgZ193H — Cognizant Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 12, 2025 MI New York began the run chase with Monank Patel scoring some initial boundaries. He was lucky as Hosein dropped him in the third over. Zia-ul-Haq joined the attack and sent back Quinton de Kock. MI New York were 42/1 after six overs. In the seventh over, Hosein sent Michael Bracewell back. Monank and Pooran attempted to accelerate the score but were unable to do so. At the 10-over stage, MI New York were 63/2. In the 13th over, Monank scored a six but lost his wicket the very next ball. He fell short of a half-century by one run, making 49 off 39 balls, including five fours and two sixes. Next in came Pollard, who struck a six over long-on off Noor Ahmad. Zia-ul-Haq had an opportunity to get Pollard out early, but he lost the ball in the air and dropped it. Pollard utilized it best, sending Zia for two sixes and two fours in his next over. Adam Milne came back into the attack, but Pooran slammed him for a four and a six. During the second-last over, Pollard slammed Stoinis for two additional boundaries. Pooran finished the match in style, hammering a six to reach his fifty and steer MI New York to the win. He remained unbeaten on 52 off 36. Pollard also smashed a hard-hitting knock of 47 off 22 balls.