MLC 2025 Final: MI New York edge past Washington Freedom in final-over thriller to clinch second MLC title

MI New York attained a five-run victory over Washington Freedom to emerge as the champions of Major League Cricket 2025. This was their second title triumph after clinching silverware in the inaugural installment of the tournament in 2023.

Quinton de Kock was belligerent in the powerplay as New York ended up with 58/0 at the end of the first six overs. Monank Patel, at the other end, could not get going. It seemed he finally found his groove after striking his first maximum of the innings in Mitchell Owen's first over of the game. However, he did not last long as Lockie Ferguson struck on the first ball of his second over to send him back for 28 off 22.

By the halfway stage, New York had lost another wicket in the form of Tajinder Dhillon (14 off 11). de Kock brought up the team 100 as well as his fifty, his 73rd T20 half-century, in the 11th over. The South African looked set to get to his ton with the way he was striking the ball.

However, he perished in Ferguson's final over, which was a double-wicket one. de Kock fell for 77 off 46 while Kieron Pollard was dismissed for a three-ball duck. All in all, only 35 runs came off the final five overs with Washington making a splendid comeback. The Kiwi quick was the pick of the bowlers for Washington as he conceded only 21 runs in his four-over quota.

Trent Boult gave New York a dream start with the ball, getting Mitchell Owen for a golden duck and Andries Gous for a four-ball duck in the very first over of the run-chase. Rachin Ravindra powered Washington to an advantageous position at the completion of the powerplay, and despite losing a couple of wickets early on, they had scored more than what New York had done in the similar range.

Nosthush Kenjige came back brilliiantly in his second over after being dispatched for 19 in his first. The left-arm spinner got the wicket of Jack Edwards (33 off 22). By the midpoint of the innings, Washington required 92 with Rachin having already got to his fifty. There was midde-overs slowdown as overs 13 to 15 yielded only 17 runs, taking the required run rate up. Rushil Ugarkar was successful in dismissing the well-set Rachin for 70 off 41.

Glenn Phillips and Maxwell were in the middle with Washington requiring 41 runs in the final three overs. A 17-run over off Tristan Luus's fourth modified the equation to 24 off the final two overs. Boult conceded 12 runs in the penultimate over, leaving as many for the 22-year-old Ugarkar to defend. The youngster showcased remarkable composure to win it in the final over for his team.