Monank Patel Leads MI New York to Victory
Monank Patel's exceptional batting and partnership with Michael Bracewell led MI New York to a convincing win, while the Seattle Orcas struggle to find their footing in the tournament, with Heinrich Klaasen being a key player to watch in their upcoming matches.
American captain Monank Patel smashed 93 off 50 deliveries to lead MI New York to a 7-wicket win over Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, extending the Orcas' winless run to eight games.
The Orcas, led by Kyle Mayers' 88 off 46 balls, initially put up a strong challenge, but their powerplay came back to haunt them as MINY chased down 201 with an over to spare. Monank Patel's innings included 8 boundaries and 7 sixes, and he registered the highest score by an American player in the MLC, surpassing 91.
Patel's partnership with Kiwi Michael Bracewell (50* off 35) was crucial in the 201-run chase, and Kieron Pollard (26* off 10) provided the finishing touches to secure the win with an over to spare. The win keeps MI New York in touch with the fast starters in the tournament, while Seattle Orcas slide to three losses in a row and occupy the bottom spot in the table.
Heinrich Klaasen is a top bet for the Orcas, with odds of 16/5, as he has a good record against Trent Boult and could deliver a top-bat win. However, the Oakland Coliseum surface is expected to slow down, which could favor the bowlers and make it a challenging task for the Orcas to bounce back from their losing streak.
The tournament is heating up, and the upcoming matches will be crucial for both teams to make a comeback or maintain their momentum. With Monank Patel's impressive performance, MI New York is looking strong, but the Orcas will be looking to turn their fortunes around and get their first win of the season.