MLC 2025: MI New York Stun Texas Super Kings in Challenger; MI NY & Washington Freedom's Road To Final Explained

Dallas (TX), July 12: Nicholas Pooran-led MI New York registered a sensational seven-wicket victory over Texas Super Kings in the MLC 2025 Challenger here at Grand Prairie Stadium (Dallas) on Friday (July 11) to storm into the final.

After managing just one win from their first seven games, MI New York's journey to the final seemed improbable. But in true T20 fashion, unpredictability ruled, and MI New York now find themselves in their second final in three years.

Coach Robin Petersen's side is now set to face defending champions Washington Freedom, coached by Ricky Ponting, on Sunday (July 13). For the Indian audience, it will be Monday (July 14) morning.

How the MCL 2025 Challenger Unfolded

Put in to bat, Texas Super Kings had a cautious start. Smit Patel and Faf du Plessis offered resistance, but a brilliant spell from Tristan Luus and Rushil Ugarkar saw TSK reduced to 43/3 by the end of the Powerplay.

Despite a dropped catch off du Plessis by Kieron Pollard, the momentum stayed with MI New York. Du Plessis (59) and Akeal Hosein (55* off 26) helped TSK to a competitive 166/5.

However, MI New York's chase wasn't off to a flying start either. They lost Quinton de Kock and Michael Bracewell cheaply. But Monank Patel, dropped twice, made TSK pay with a valuable 49-run knock, keeping MINY afloat.

Then came the Pollard-Pooran show. Needing 50 off 24, Pollard blasted 22 runs off one over, and Pooran followed up with a calculated assault to seal the chase with an over to spare. Their unbroken 72-run stand scripted one of MLC's most dramatic turnarounds.

MLC 2025 Playoff Results

• Qualifier 1: (Not played due to rain, Freedom advanced directly)
• Eliminator: MI New York beat San Francisco Unicorns
• Qualifier 2: Texas Super Kings vs MI New York (MI NY won)

MCL 2025 Final Details

• Teams: MI New York vs Washington Freedom
• Date: Sunday, July 13, 2025 | India Timings - Monday July 14 @ 5:30 AM)
• Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium, Texas

TSK vs MI NY MLC 2025 Challenger Brief Score

• Texas Super Kings - 166/5 in 20 overs (Faf du Plessis 59, Akeal Hosein 55*; Tristan Luus 3/35, Rushil Ugarkar 2/31)
• MI New York - 172/3 in 19 overs (Nicholas Pooran 52*, Monank Patel 49; Akeal Hosein 1/11)
• Result: MI New York won by 7 wickets

MLC 2025 Points Table (After Challenger)

Washington Freedom & MI New York Road To MLC 2025 Finals

• Washington Freedom led the regular season (8‑2) and advanced directly to the Final after their Qualifier 1 match was washed out due to rain
• Texas Super Kings (TSK, NRR +1.603) and San Francisco Unicorns (+1.330) tied on 14 points. TSK edged ahead on NRR to secure Qualifier 2
• In the Eliminator, MI New York (6 pts, -0.518) defeated SF Unicorns,
• In Challenger, MI beat TSK by 7 wickets, securing their spot in the final.
• Seattle Orcas and LA Knight Riders were eliminated from playoff contention

Full-Team Stats Summary MLC Season 3

Washington Freedom (16 pts, +0.954 NRR)

• Clinched top spot in the league stage
• Earned the final berth for topping the league stage after the Qualifier against TSK was washed out.
• Captained by Glenn Maxwell under coach Ricky Ponting

Texas Super Kings (14 pts, +1.603 NRR)

• TSK narrowly edged SF Unicorns on NRR in the playoffs. Qualified for Qualifier vs Washington Freedom, but the match got washed out, with the latter qualifying for the final for finishing at the top in the league stage. Lost in Challenger by MI New York. Captained by Faf du Plessis and coached by Chennai Super Kings Coach Stephen Fleming.

San Francisco Unicorns (14 pts, +1.330 NRR)

• Clinched third spot in the league round
• Knocked out in the Eliminator by MI New York
• Captained by Aaron Finch, coached by Shane Watson

MI New York (6 pts, -0.518 NRR)

• Finished fourth in the league stage.
• Won both the Eliminator and Challenger to reach the final
• Captained by Nicholas Pooran, coached by Robin Petersen

Seattle Orcas (6 pts, -1.842 NRR)

• Eliminated due to inferior NRR despite identical points to MI
• Captained by Wayne Parnell, coached by Pravin Amre

Los Angeles Knight Riders (4 pts, -1.320 NRR)

• Ended at the bottom after 2 wins
• Captained by Sunil Narine, coached by Phil Simmons