New York vs Seattle, 15th Match at Morrisville, MLC, Jul 25 2023 - Ball by Ball Commentary

9:02pm Right. That will be that from us for this game. Hope you enjoyed our coverage as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you. We will be back after a day's break to bring to you all the action from the playoffs, with MI New York clashing with Washington Freedom in the Eliminator first. Until then, this is me (Shashwat) signing off on behalf of Binoy George and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Goodbye and take care!

Dasun Shanaka, Seattle Orcas captain: (On how happy he is) It is a very good win. Credit to Klaasen for the way he played - outstanding. (On the score and the bowling performance) Harmeet and Imad were the key in restricting them to that score. I was hoping to restrict them to a lesser score but the last over went for a few runs. That happens in cricket. (On bowling left-arm spinners to left-handed batters) Sometimes, a batter like Nicholas Pooran, he is trying to hit left-arm spinners. That is why I held on to Imad at the end. I wanted to use Harmeet up front but did not use him because of Pooran. (On the heat in Dallas) We are prepared for that now. Our skipper will be back, so we will be stronger and I hope we can get over the line there as well.

Nicholas Pooran, standing in as MI New York skipper for Kieron Pollard: (On Pollard's injury) The medical team is taking care of him so hopefully we will have some information soon. (On taking over the reins in the middle of the game) It was a challenge. But Polly and I keep talking. He always communicates with me. It was hence a little easier for me. Heinrich played an exceptional innings. We cannot give him chances. (On his innings) It was not good enough, unfortunately. Happy that I could contribute. Being consistent is something I strive for. (On playing the Eliminator) We have not started off the tournament at our best. But now we are in the playoffs. We know what we have to work on. Another day, another opportunity and hopefully we can come out on the right side (of the result).

Heinrich Klaasen, Player of the Match: (On what was going through his mind) I knew it was going to be difficult. Struggled to hit it at the start. Could not find my swing at the start. My idea has to be to get the momentum rolling and that started happening. That spell Trent bowled at the end got me a little bit nervous but luckily we got over the line. (On playing just three dots) Did not notice it was that less. Pride myself to not get bogged down. Always keen to keep rotating the strike. As long as the scoreboard keeps ticking, you are not falling too far behind the run-rate. (On planning to finish in the top two) It is quite hot there, so you do not want to play the day game (smiles). Playing the first qualifier gives you a couple of opportunities to get to the final.

8:42pm Phew, what a run-chase that was, and all of it was only possible because Klaasen produced one of the great T20 knocks. When he walked in, the Orcas had been reduced to 37-2 inside the powerplay. He took his time initially, with just 13 runs coming off his first 12 balls. Thereafter, though, he took matters into his own hands, dispatching the bowlers to all parts. He also ransacked 26 runs in the 17th over off Rashid - an over that turned the tide completely and put the Orcas in pole position.

They dug their own grave a little towards the end, due to the string of wickets they lost but Tye and Klaasen held their nerve to ensure that they finish the group stages at the top of the table. Take nothing away from Nauman's half-century at the top of the order too, considering it allowed Klaasen to grow into his innings before teeing off. .

MINY, meanwhile, will feel they let this game slip. At the half-way stage, they would have felt they had enough on the board. They also dropped Klaasen in the 15th over when he was on 63 and that proved to be very costly. Boult tried his best, ripping out three Orcas batters in the 18th over but in the end, that was not enough to haul MINY to victory and to a top-two berth.

Kenjige to bowl the final over. Just seven runs needed for victory, off six balls...

11 runs needed for victory. Two runs more, and the Orcas will be assured of a top-two finish...

Ehsan Adil to bowl the penultimate over. Klaasen on strike

17 required off 12 for the win for the Orcas. Eight more runs and they will guarantee themselves a top-two berth...

Boult has ripped this game open. Tye out to face the music (and the deception). Boult goes around the wicket

Harmeet out to face the hat-trick ball

Imad in at 8. Boult goes over the wicket

Boult to bowl the 18th

Afeef: "Klaasen has got to be one of the best hitters of spin bowling" -- Without a shadow of a doubt. His ability to pick lengths against spin is second to none...

Pretorius in at 7. His job could be to feed Klaasen the strike...