Defending champions MI New York opened their account in MLC 2026 with an eight-wicket win over Texas Super Kings in the last match of the tournament’s opening leg at Grand Prairie Stadium on Monday (IST).The victory was set up by a strong bowling display led by Trent Boult and Corbin Bosch before captain Nicholas Pooran guided the chase with an unbeaten 68.After suffering defeat in their opening game, MI New York needed a response and got it quickly through Boult. The left-arm pacer dismissed Smit Patel in the first over and then removed Rilee Rossouw with a ball that came back sharply, reducing Texas to 20 for 2.Texas, who were without their regular captain Faf du Plessis due to a back spasm, struggled to recover from the early setbacks. Bosch struck before the end of the Powerplay to leave them at 36 for 3.Milind Kumar and Shubham Ranjane rebuilt the innings with a 65-run partnership and briefly put Texas back on track. However, MI New York kept picking up wickets. Ranjane fell one run short of a half-century, while Bosch dismissed Donovan Ferreira and Wiaan Mulder to stop any late charge.Boult’s early breakthroughs and Bosch’s control through the middle and death overs ensured Texas never gained full momentum. The innings ended at 158, with four balls still remaining.MI New York started the chase aggressively. Quinton de Kock attacked from the outset, taking on Akeal Hosein in the first over with two fours and a six. Texas then missed a key chance when Monank Patel was dropped by Amishi de Silva in the third over.The missed opportunity proved costly. Monank and de Kock added 49 runs for the opening wicket before Monank and Pooran put together another partnership worth 64 runs. While de Kock provided the early runs, Pooran paced the chase carefully and ensured there were no setbacks.Monank was dismissed for 46 after bringing the target well within reach. Pooran then took control, increasing the scoring rate as the finish approached. His unbeaten 68 helped MI New York complete the chase with 14 balls to spare and secure their first win of the season.
