The inaugural edition of the Major Cricket League came to an end on Sunday (July 3)) with MI New York clinching the title by beating Seattle Orcas in the final at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas.

Asked to bat first, Orcas rode on Quinton de Kock’s 87 off 52 balls to pile up 183/9 in their stipulated 20 overs.  

In reply, MINY lost opener Steven Taylor for a duck in the very first over. However, skipper Nicholas Pooran turned the game upside down with his power hitting while batting at No. 3.

The southpaw took the Seattle attack to the cleaners right from the outset, completing his half-century in just 16 balls. He continued his carnage after reaching the fifty and notched up his three-figure mark in 40 deliveries.

In the end, Pooran stayed unbeaten on 137 off 55 balls to take his team over the finishing line with four overs to spare. His brutal knock was studded with 13 sixes and 10 boundaries.

After taking his team home, Nicholas Pooran also erupted in a jubilant celebration. He was down on the floor after digging out a yorker but roared loudly upon realizing that MI New York have won the final.

With this knock, the MI skipper also became the highest run-scorer of the MLC 2023 with 388 runs to his name. His 137 not out was also the highest individual score by any batter in the tournament.