MI New York staged a stunning comeback to defeat Seattle Orcas by 17 runs in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026, dealing a major blow to Orcas’ playoff hopes after a seemingly insecure defense. Seattle looked to be sailing in search of 180, reaching 137 for 1 after 15 overs with Tim Seifert and Matthew Breetzke in complete control. The duo had already added 100 stands and only 43 runs were required from the last five overs. However, the chase was a surprise as MI New York struck at regular intervals. The Orcas lost five wickets in the last over and managed just two runs in the last two overs, allowing New York to grab an unlikely victory. Kieron Pollard caused a collapse by bowling Breetzke with a slow delivery. The striker celebrated with his ‘finger-on-the-brain’ sign before leaving the pitch with what appeared to be a shoulder injury. Despite his scare, Pollard came back later and was instrumental in taking the catch to remove fellow West Indian Shimron Hetmyer, who tried to attack Rushil Ugarkar after a quiet 17th over. Although Seattle still had the dangerous Seifert at the crease and the New Zealand batsmen survived a few chances in the 18th over, MI New York settled down. Romario Shepherd He then turned the match decisively in New York. First he bowled a very good yorker to get rid of him Marcus Stoinis before he had Seifert behind in the penultimate where he conceded just three runs. With Seattle needing 22 runs from the final over, Pollard sealed the innings to seal an improbable victory over MI New York. In the past, New York’s innings has recovered well after a top-order collapse. Reduced to 73 for 5 in the 12th over, it looked like they would have to score less before Pollard and Tajinder Dhillon turned the innings around with a match-defining partnership. The damage was done mainly by Seattle captain Marcus Stoinis, who took the first five wickets of his T20 career. He dismissed Ryan Rickelton early, dismissed Monank Patel and off-spinner Shakib Al Hasan after he fell for 15, and continued to take advantage of the conditions expertly in Dallas. Ottneil Baartman also impressed by bowling Nicholas Pooran, whose difficult season continued. Pollard and Dhillon then staged a remarkable recovery, adding 80 runs in less than seven overs. Their fightback was six seven four 13 as they punished every loose ball. Dhillon, who benefited from two wickets that fell in the 17th and 18th overs, raced to his half-century from just 22 balls while reading the low balls well. Stoinis made a late comeback to remove Pollard, Shepherd and Trent Boult in five balls, but Dhillon ensured MI New York finished strong by taking 20 runs from Dasun Shanaka in the last over. This late run really proved it. Dhillon remained unbeaten on 66 to register his first fifty of the season and was named Player of the Match. After the match, he presented the award to his brother, who was also his first cricket coach and died in January. The win lifted MI New York into second place in the standings, while the Seattle Orcas need to win their last game to keep their championship hopes alive. Short scores: MI New York 179/8 in 20 overs (Tajinder Dhillon 66*, Kieron Pollard 54; Marcus Stoinis 5-46, Ottneil Baartman 2-18) beat Seattle Orcas 162/6 in 20 overs (Tim Seifert 88keron 2-4 Breeron Pollard, Romad Shepherd 2-13) by 17 runs.
