New York vs Washington, Final at Dallas, MLC, Jul 13 2025 - Match Result

This concludes our season-long coverage of MLC action. Thank you for tuning in and staying with us for the past month. This is Rashad Mahbub signing off on behalf of Sudeep Poojar and the entire ESPNcricinfo team. Sayonara!

After the interview, Nicholas Pooran joined his team in front of the backdrop, proudly holding the trophy. Fireworks lit up the sky, and cheers erupted all around as the MI New York team and their supporters celebrated their second MLC trophy win with huge smiles. On the other side, the Washington Freedom players looked sad and disappointed; it just wasn't their night.

Nicholas Pooran: "To Jesus, all praise and thanks. Amazing feeling to get where we got caught in this tournament after a challenging journey. And I'm really happy, not because we won the tournament, but I'm really happy because the guys stayed together. We had that belief. We were really optimistic when things weren't going our way, and we're here now on the Champion, so unreal feeling. [Challenges of leadership] The journey is always stressful. That's a beautiful thing about sports, but again, the man above puts you in situations where you can handle it; it's a tough situation. We could have handled it. I just felt like the supporter; obviously, the coach, Polly [Pollard], and the senior guys stuck together. It wasn't just a one-man show. Everyone came together, but they had together, the management staff, the coaching staff, and everyone came up with different plans. And you saw a playoff, and all the senior players stepped up. I know it's really important for us as a group, and that's why we're lifting this trophy now. Rushil has grown from strength to strength. The first game he played against this team. Got a couple of sixes in that first over, but throughout the tournament, decided to get better and better. He's learning very fast, and he's someone we could throw the ball to, bowl slow balls into the wicket, and bowl tough overs, both him and Tristan [Luus]. They really helped us in this entire competition. Tristan is coming in and getting that opportunity in Miami, grabbing both hands, and coming to the playoffs. In the playoff, like their senior players, big credit to both Rushil and Tristan for the way they went about it. But today was all about Rushil. Before the over started, he asked me what I was thinking. I was like, you tell me what you're thinking. This is your momentum; embrace it. And he came up to us, and everyone here in the US who watches cricket is really happy for him in this moment, a youngster embracing that moment against international players in our finals. That's a story. Captain doesn't know everything; you go by your instincts. Sometimes you have to trust guys. That's one thing we spoke about. We have to trust the local players and the international players, and at some point in time, the guys have to take responsibility. This is our sixth game; we took it to the last over. We're really happy, but it matters most that we crossed the line. [MI and winning, why?] Sounds good, huh? As I said earlier, in this tournament, there's a lot of pressure to play for this franchise and a lot of expectations. You need to win every game, win every tournament. They set high standards, and no wonder they are the most successful franchise in T20 cricket. So they just love winning."

The players form a queue to collect their medals.

Highest Wicket Taker of the Tournament, Xavier Bartlett

Most Valuable Player of the Tournament, Mitchell Owen

Domestic Player of the Tournament, Monank Patel

Most Valuable Player and the Best U23 Player of the Tournament, Rushil Ugarkar: "It's still setting in slowly and slowly, but I'm excited. I was just telling him [Pooran], I know what I'm doing; let's just keep talking every single ball to keep me calm. I felt the wicket was quite slow, so I wanted to make good use of the off-cutters that I had. That was the plan the entire time. I reckon initially, when I started the tournament, I was getting hit quite a bit, so it was just a matter of me coming back. So I started focusing a lot of my sessions, and just kept on playing and kept on bowling. [Played any final before] Yeah, but not at this level. The feeling is setting in slowly. I guess when we lift the trophy, it will probably get to me better."

Glenn Maxwell: "It doesn't quite look like it's sunk yet. Unfortunately, we've had such a great tournament. Felt like we were probably the front runners for a long, long period throughout that tournament; we've been at the top the whole way through. And yeah, to lose tonight, it's a bitter pill to swallow, but credit to MI New York that helped their nerve. I thought we did a really good job of clawing it back with the ball halfway through the innings and taking consistent wickets at the back end. Probably led to a couple too many at the back where we felt like we'd had the momentum, and that ended up proving almost to be the difference tonight, and the way that they executed the ball at the back end there, it was tough work to get away. It felt like me and GP [Glenn Phillips] had ourselves set, and for them to execute their skills under pressure. Credit to them. The condition certainly suited him [Ugarkar]; he was using that big side into the wind to his advantage and stuck true to his plans, which is what we talk about as a bowling group as well."

MI New York Bowling Coach, Mitchell McClenaghan: "Super proud. We got knocked back with Naveen getting injured early, and we didn't have a few bowlers turn up. But we played six games. Tristan and Rushil have played nine now, and for the way they stood up in a big moment in the last three games to get the job done. I couldn't be more proud of the two youngsters, and the whole bowling group was outstanding. Boult from ball one got the job done and in the end proved his class."

Tristan Luus: "Basically, there's some prep done back home, but I was ready since the start of this tournament. Couldn't wait to play, and finally got my opportunity, and I've just made full advantage of it. [Spending time with this franchise] Definitely, it's just the culture and, like, the team and just the players; it makes you more comfortable with the team and the coaches, they definitely play a big role."

Trent Boult: "I think it was a great final. I think that's what you want. The league deserves that. And, yeah, to come out on top is a great feeling. Telling you all these secrets off here, but you're throwing me under the bus here. But it's a tough, tough place to bowl. It's a good wicket. There are some quality batters, and everyone is trying to hit sixes these days. So, credit to Washington. I thought they had a great tournament. They were in that game the whole time and probably one or two boundaries away from winning it. So it's as close as the game could be. I'm a sprightly 36-year-old, but still learning. I think that's still part of it. And I think a lot of credit should go to the young bowling attack. We've got Tristan, who's just turned 20. Young Rush [Ugarkar] to hold his nerve under pressure like that. I'd be training with him for two years. He's been a part of the Mumbai Indians, training in the nets, bowling, and with some good players, but to come out there in that situation under pressure and hold his nerve. He's going to remember that for a long time. So good on him. I think MI Franchises--that's what they do. They invest in young players. They find talent early as part of the IPL wider training squad with the Mumbai Indians in the nets every day; you're only going to get better bowling in those situations. To those players and boys who hit the nets, it's a different game from what's happening out there in the middle. And you wouldn't know, he held his nerve. Perfectly executed the plan. Those were two brilliant finishes."

Kieron Pollard: "It means a lot [winning the cup]. We fought hard. I said one win in seven. Everyone sort of wrote us off. And I've mentioned time and time again, there is something in this MI Franchise that until we are mathematically out of any tournament, you should not rule us out. The belief that the guys showed everyone, from the management staff to the captain, to everybody. It's just unbelievable standing here, for us to go and collect that second MLC trophy for MI New York. [38 years old] I can't tell the future, but what I can tell you is that I enjoyed my time here. It was one where I came into this tournament. I hadn't played cricket since January. Had to leave early due to the passing of my mom, and I was motivated. A lot of other things internally and behind the scenes as well, sort of motivated me to come out and show you what I am made of. So again, this one feels good; it's a bit emotional. I've won a lot of titles, but this one deep down inside is a bit emotional for myself. [Continue to win and you are a champion.] Thank you very much. Dwayne Bravo. Look at me now [laughter]."

MI New York Head Coach, Mark Boucher: "We've had some tight games in the tournament, but I'm super stoked for the guys. I mean, we put a lot of hard effort into the way we started the tournament. Probably no one would have put us in the final to win a game like this. What a game of cricket, for the USA as well. If I'm rivaled up against Ricky, then I think I'm going in the right direction, because he's a fantastic coach. So, just to compare to him and competition like that is great. A lot of these tournaments are franchise cricket; it's not about having the best team on paper. It's what you do off the field and the camaraderie. And I think the guys, even though we are losing tight games, are sticking together well. And it's just great for them to get a fantastic result like that. We've been playing knockout cricket for the last two weeks now, so we were a battle-hardened team. And it's just nice to get out of there; in a good game of cricket."

Neil: "Watching Ugarker be so calm after the first two balls made me calm as well. As soon as I saw his composure, I knew he had it in the bag. HUGE improvement from that final over against Donnavan Ferreira."

Tijo: "The ridiculousness of a 4-team playoff in a 6-team tournament! But as an MI fan, no complaints."

10:50 pm What a thrilling contest! It was an intense cliffhanger that lasted till the very end. For the majority of the game, it appeared that the Washington Freedom had it in the bag, but New York pulled off a remarkable comeback and grabbed the victory right from under their noses. It's truly amazing, considering MI New York only won 1 out of their first 7 games. Who would have thought they'd not only make it to the playoffs and the finals but also win the tournament? They got off to a dream start in the final, with Trent Boult taking the huge wicket of Mitch Owen on the very first ball! And in that same over, he grabbed another big one, Andries Gous, all before Washington Freedom had even scored a single run! However, Edwards and Ravindra started to put things back together, finding boundaries here and there. Then came a massive turning point in the 6th over, where they smashed an incredible 19 runs! During this time, New York's fielding was a little sloppy, with several half-chances missed. Edwards and Ravindra's partnership lasted 84 runs before Kenjige dismissed Edwards. Following Edwards' departure, the scoring rate decreased dramatically. Phillips struggled to rotate the strike, putting significant pressure on Ravindra. But Phillips then made a huge comeback, hitting two sixes in a row in the 18th over, which really shifted the momentum. Later, Maxwell couldn't keep up with the required run rate, and the dot balls started piling up again. But it all came down to the young player, Ugarkar, who stayed incredibly calm and delivered his slower balls perfectly. Both Ugarkar and Boult ended up with two wickets each. Post Match Presentation and lots of interviews coming up shortly. Hang in there, folks!

Gokul Pradeep V: "Gotta feel for Ponting, lost two finals as a coach, first one with Kings XI Punjab in IPL and now this !!"

Alex: "It's quite a feat NY lifted the trophy after losing 7 of 10 matches in the league stage!"

CKS: "Poor Ponting and Maxi. First PBKS and now this. Tabletoppers both times"

MI New York won the match by 5 runs

It's now or never for the Freedom, here's Pienaar

10 needed from 3 now, Pooran having a conversation with Ugarkar, allowing the young man to take his time and settle his nerves.

10 runs needed from 4 balls, Maxwell needs to go big now.

12 needed from the last over. Who will bowl? Pollard went back to the dressing room and might have hurt his hand while attempting the catch in the last over. Ugarkar to bowl the last one. Massive responsibility on the shoulders of the youngster.

Machakaari : "Super over for the title? Anyone ? "

Rajkumar Lingav: "It all boils down to Kiwis who can win for their team. Boult for MI or GP for WF? "

24 runs needed from 12 balls. Trent Boult to bowl the penultimate over. Expect loads of yorker deliveries.

41 runs needed from the last three overs. Luus to bowl now. Massive over is coming up!