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MI New York 144 for 6 (Pooran 70*, Russell 4-35) beat Los Angeles Knight Riders 103 (Fletcher 44, Kenjige 3-21, Bosch 3-26) by 41 runs
At 53 without loss in the seventh over, LAKR were on track to chase 145 but Colin Munro’s run out after a mix-up with Andre Fletcher changed the game. Left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige then claimed a career-best 3 for 21 including a second over which brought 12 runs and two wickets.
Unmukt Chand was lbw before Sunil Narine struck his first legal delivery for six despite Corbin Bosch’s spectacular attempt at deep midwicket before Narine found the same fielder next ball. Kenjige added his third when he claimed the vital wicket of Rovman Powell who had just played out a maiden from Romario Shepherd.
Matthew Tromp managed a couple of sixes in a four-ball stay but any faint hopes LAKR had of pulling off the chase went when Fletcher was the ninth batter out, giving Bosch his third wicket
Russell had earlier cut through MI New York’s middle order to leave then 75 for 5 after Quinton de Kock had set up a promising powerplay with 33 off 17 balls before being deceived by Narine.
But Pooran lifted them to 144 as he struck five sixes, dominating two partnerships with Shepherd and Corey Anderson, although even he struggled for fluency. Overall, the match included 127 dot balls.
Russell’s 4 for 35 were his best T20 figures since taking 4 for 5 (which all came in a single over) for Kolkata Knight Riders against Gujarat Titans in the 2022 IPL.
