Defending champions MI New York opened their MLC 2026 account with an eight-wicket win over Texas Super Kings in the final match of the first leg of the tournament at the Grand Prairie Stadium on Monday (IST).The victory was won by a strong bowling performance led by Trent Boult and Corbin Bosch before captain Nicholas Pooran he led the chase with an unbeaten 68.After losing their first game, MI New York needed a response and they got it quickly through Boult. The left-arm pacer dismissed Smit Patel in the first over and then removed Rilee Rossouw with a sharp return ball, reducing Texas to 20 for 2.Texas, who were without their captain Faf du Plessis with back spasms, struggled to recover from early setbacks. Bosch struck before the end of the Powerplay to leave them at 36 for 3.Milind Kumar and Shubham Ranjane revived the innings with a 65-run partnership to briefly get Texas back on track. However, MI New York continued to collect wickets. Ranjane dropped one run from his half-century while Bosch dismissed Donovan Ferreira and Wian Mulder to stem any late charge.Boult’s early inroads and Bosch’s control through the middle and death overs ensured that Texas never gained full momentum. The innings ended on 158 with four balls to spare.MI New York aggressively pursued. Quinton de Kock attacked from the start, catching Akeal Hosein in the first over with two fours and a six. Texas then missed a crucial opportunity when Monanka Patel was dropped by Amisha de Silva in the third over.The missed opportunity turned out to be expensive. Monank and de Kock added 49 runs for the opening wicket before Monank and Pooran put on another 64-run partnership. While de Kock secured the early runs, Pooran paced the chase carefully and made sure there was no backsliding.Monank was dismissed for 46 after bringing the target within reach. Pooran then took control, increasing his strike rate as the end approached. His unbeaten 68 helped MI New York complete the chase with 14 balls to salvage and secure their first win of the season.
