END OF OVER:20 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | WSF: 125/9 (17 runs required, RR: 6.25)
- Anrich Nortje4 (6b)
- Saurabh Netravalkar1 (1b)
- Nosthush Kenjige4-0-19-2
- Trent Boult4-0-20-4
Thank you for joining us and sending your feedback throughout the game. There is another game underway. Hop over to the other tab, with Texas Super Kings taking on Seattle Orcas in the Qualifier 1. From me (Rvel Zahid), it's goodbye and have a very good Friday all of you!
New York, despite not having the services of their leading light Kieron Pollard, managed to stave off defeat in this crucial affair. They will face the loser of the upcoming Qualifier 1. Kenjige was miserly on the big day and didn't let Freedom get off the hook, getting two prized scalps and running out Mukhtar Ahmed with a rocket throw from backward point, putting enormous pressure on Freedom.
Earlier, Trent Boult bowled yet another searing spell, this time for a winning cause. Boult discombobulated batters with his cunning change-up deliveries, knuckleballs, and cutters, showing his dexterity in no uncertain terms. David Wiese not only bowled a great spell but also took two superb catches in the deep towards the end. Meanwhile, Freedom captain Moses Henriques was cagey early into his innings and plunged his side into further chaos after playing a couple of rash swings and then losing his composure by chopping it back onto the stumps against Wiese.
Rashid, despite being wicketless, kept his run rate under the asking rate. The former Pakistan paceman Ehsan Adil did a decent job in the 14th and 16th over before being clobbered for a few lusty blows by Jansen in the 18th over, which gave Freedom a bit of a sniff in the game. But, all in all, I think the game was Freedom's to lose after managing to restrict New York to a subpar score courtesy of a brilliant bowling display led by Jansen and later Saurabh continued to cash in on his bowling form. A few partnerships in the middle could have edged them closer to victory. The likes of Marco Jansen, Obus Pienaar, and Akeal Hosein had a big ask as they were left to deal with Boult and company in the last five overs, with plenty of runs left to score.
Moses Henriques, Washington Freedom Captain: The wickets are a bit fragile. Like they probably had a week off, so I thought maybe they had enough time to just get a little bit of water back into the square and we thought there would be a bit of nip. If it was a low-scoring game, like it was, it's always nice to be able to chase and I think in a low scoring game just because, you know, specially in that powerplay, you don't feel like there's any sort of scoreboard pressure. So I felt like at the halfway point that the game was ours...but I was really happy throughout the tournament. I don't think we ever really played the perfect game and we still scrapped. And, you know, I thought we played some really good cricket but without ever really getting 40 hours together. We had like really good balance with our bowling attack. Saurabh was owning his role, so flexible and very skillful and we had different combinations at work and there's sort of uniqueness that they both have with pace and then bounce as well and then, you know a lot of spinning options. So you know, I thought we had a lot of different combinations that worked. No, I think I'll stick with (this team). I think we've got a really good bunch of people, not only the players but the staff as well. And I think it's been a really strong culture. Very enjoyable to be around. So hopefully we'll be able to keep the majority of the group together
Nicholas Pooran, MI New York Captain: Everyone stepped up. In all fairness, Jansen bowled really well in the powerplay and we lost wickets at crucial times. We have to control and get wickets in the powerplay and that is crucial. When you win games like these, you gain some confidence. We won as a team and we are looking forward to tomorrow (for the Qualifier)
Dewald Brevis, Player of the Match: Good to make contribution. No, absolutely excited. I'm so happy at this moment. I don't mind where I bat. We just said (in the middle during partnership) whenever the ball is in my area, I'm going for it...so that's how I play. And yeah, it was great to see everyone chipping in this game.
Srinath : "Kenjige has the opportunity to redeem himself and today he has a lot more runs to defend. MI vs TSK loading!"
Afeef: "Jansen always fires against MI teams ever since MI let him go in the IPL"
Rahul: "Kenjige is becoming one of my favorite players to watch. Plays with so much passion "
JG Dill run out 3 (3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
The chief tormenter who triggered the collapse with a brilliant run-out comes to bowl the final over
END OF OVER:19 | 3 Runs 2 Wkts | WSF: 120/8 (22 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 6.31, RRR: 22.00)
- Justin Dill2 (2b)
- Anrich Nortje1 (2b)
- Trent Boult4-0-20-4
- Ehsan Adil4-0-32-0
M Jansen c Wiese b Boult 28 (18b 1x4 3x6) SR: 155.55
AJ Hosein c Wiese b Boult 11 (14b 1x4 0x6) SR: 78.57
END OF OVER:18 | 18 Runs | WSF: 117/6 (25 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 6.50, RRR: 12.50)
- Marco Jansen28 (17b)
- Akeal Hosein11 (13b)
- Ehsan Adil4-0-32-0
- Rashid Khan4-0-28-0
END OF OVER:17 | 9 Runs | WSF: 99/6 (43 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 5.82, RRR: 14.33)
- Marco Jansen11 (12b)
- Akeal Hosein10 (12b)
- Rashid Khan4-0-28-0
- Ehsan Adil3-0-14-0