MI New York produced a remarkable turnaround to defeat Seattle Orcas by 17 runs in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026, dealing a major blow to the Orcas’ playoff hopes after defending what had looked like a vulnerable total. Seattle appeared to be cruising in pursuit of 180, reaching 137 for 1 after 15 overs with Tim Seifert and Matthew Breetzke in complete control. The pair had already added a century stand and only 43 runs were required from the final five overs. However, the chase unravelled dramatically as MI New York struck at regular intervals. The Orcas lost five wickets during the closing stages and managed just two boundaries in the final two overs, allowing New York to snatch an unlikely victory. Kieron Pollard triggered the collapse by bowling Breetzke with a slower delivery. The veteran celebrated with his trademark “finger-on-brain” gesture before immediately leaving the field after appearing to injure his shoulder. Despite the scare, Pollard returned later in the innings and made another crucial contribution by taking the catch to dismiss fellow West Indian Shimron Hetmyer, who attempted to attack Rushil Ugarkar after a quiet 17th over. Although Seattle still had the dangerous Seifert at the crease and the New Zealand batter even survived a dropped chance in the 18th over, MI New York kept their composure. Romario Shepherd then turned the match decisively in New York’s favour. He first produced a superb yorker to remove Marcus Stoinis before having Seifert caught behind in a penultimate over that conceded only three runs. With Seattle needing 22 runs from the final over, Pollard closed out the contest to seal an improbable win for MI New York. Earlier, the New York innings had recovered brilliantly after a top-order collapse. Reduced to 73 for 5 in the 12th over, they looked destined for a below-par score before Pollard and Tajinder Dhillon transformed the innings with a match-defining partnership. The damage had been inflicted primarily by Seattle captain Marcus Stoinis, who claimed the first five-wicket haul of his T20 career. He removed Ryan Rickelton early, dismissed Monank Patel with a slower cutter after Shakib Al Hasan had fallen for 15, and continued to exploit the conditions expertly on the Dallas surface. Ottneil Baartman also made an impact by bowling Nicholas Pooran, whose difficult season continued. Pollard and Dhillon then launched a stunning recovery, adding 80 runs in fewer than seven overs. Their counterattack featured seven sixes and 13 fours as they punished anything loose. Dhillon, who benefited from two dropped catches in the 17th and 18th overs, raced to a half-century from just 22 deliveries while reading the slower balls effectively. Stoinis returned late to dismiss Pollard, Shepherd and Trent Boult in the space of five balls, but Dhillon ensured MI New York finished strongly by taking 20 runs off Dasun Shanaka in the final over. Those late runs ultimately proved decisive. Dhillon remained unbeaten on 66 to register his first fifty of the season and was named Player of the Match. After the game, he dedicated the award to his brother, who was also his first cricket coach and passed away in January. The victory lifted MI New York to second place in the standings, while Seattle Orcas must now win their final league match to keep their playoff hopes alive. Brief scores: MI New York 179/8 in 20 overs (Tajinder Dhillon 66*, Kieron Pollard 54; Marcus Stoinis 5-46, Ottneil Baartman 2-18) beat Seattle Orcas 162/6 in 20 overs (Tim Seifert 88, Matthew Breetzke 44; Kieron Pollard 2-9, Romario Shepherd 2-13) by 17 runs.
