MLC 2023 Final: Nicholas Pooran Smashes 55-Ball 137 To Power MI New York To Major League Cricket Title

Nicholas Pooran smashed a 55-ball 137 to power MI New York to the inaugural Major League Cricket (MLC) title after sealing a 7-wicket win over Seattle Orcas in the final at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Sunday (July 30).

Chasing a 184-run target in the MLC 2023 final, Pooran walked in at number three in the first over after opener Steven Taylor fell for a three-ball duck. And the stand-in skipper was in demolition mode right from the start, getting to his fifty in 16 balls and the hundred in 40 balls.

Pooran's punishing innings included 13 sixes and 9 fours as well as two fifty plus partnerships as the MI New York chased down the challenging target with 4 overs to spare.

This was the second hundred of the MLC 2023 after Seattle Ocras' Heinrich Klaasen and the fastest in the tournament. Klaasen had reached the three-figure mark in 41 balls earlier in the tournament, while Pooran reached the feat in 40 balls.

Pooran's ton is also the third-quickest by a West Indian in T20 cricket, behind Chris Gayle's 30-ball hundred for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2013 and Johnson Charles' 39-ball ton for West Indies earlier this year against South Africa.

Earlier this year, Pooran had entered the fastest fifty list in the Indian Premier League when he reached the feat in 15 balls for Lucknow Super Giants against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Pooran has batted with much confidence since the start of the year especially in the shortest format.

This innings of Pooran showcased his ability to win games single-handedly, earning praise from teammates, fans and the cricket world. Here are some of the reaction as Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult and Tim David led the praise for the West Indian.

After the match, Rabada said: "Good to see Nicky P playing the way that he is. There was no way to get him out tonight, he was incredible. That was probably close to the innings of his life. He was also facing good bowlers. It wasn't an easy game. That was unbelievable to witness."

Meanwhile, Boult, who ended the tournament as the leading wicket-taker with 22 wickets, said: "What a great way to finish the tournament. To see some fireworks like that from Mr. Pooran's bat was very special."

David, who witnessed the finish from close quarters, said: "Everyone here were treated to a very special innings. Nicky P, bloody awesome. I got the first class seat in the house. I just let him do his magic."

Compatriot and MI New York captain Kieron Pollard, who had to miss the final due to injury, said: "Very special, this is something that's been brewing for some time. Sometimes it hurts me not to see him much in the international arena. He's a talent and he's someone that we need in the Caribbean."

Pooran, who bagged the MVP, Player of the final and leading run-scorer awards, was thrilled to see his 5 to 6 years of hard work on his skills come off finally, "You are going to bat like Nicky P, I told myself, and backed my skill. I just had to execute my skills, I have been working on it since the last 5-6 years."