Major League Cricket 2024: 6th July to 29th July 24 Final Page 63 - Page 39

Sunil Narine, Los Angeles Knight Riders captain: (On where they lost the game) The score. Tough to defend 130, especially against a batting line-up like that. Pooran batted brilliantly and Polly finished it at the end. We fought till the end. (On what needs improvement) I have to probably work on my toss skills (laughs). We did not get good starts. I did not get off in any game. The general vibe in the team was good. When you lose games, the vibe can change. Very good tournament for us, very close to qualifying but still far away. (On if they could have done anything differently when Pollard and Pooran were batting together) Not too sure. We tried everything, it did not work out, they came out on top. We obviously had to go for wickets, and in that, runs can come. (Message to the supporters) We will keep fighting and giving our 100%. The team has been brilliant. Want to give credit to all the guys who have put in the effort.

Kieron Pollard, MI New York captain: Very, very relieved. To qualify for the playoffs…it has been tough for us as a team (this season). Congratulations has to go the entire team. The way we fought and to win by a certain margin, well done to everybody. If you look at the history of how we have batted this season, it was going to be tough. We got an opportunity today to forget what has happened in the past and play one good game of cricket. The attitude everyone brought today was fantastic. (On what worked today with the bat for him) A little bit of experience, I guess. Nosh, a few days back, (Kenjige) told me that I was just one or two knocks away (from being back in form). Have some close confidants here. (On the Russell wicket) No matter what you have accomplished, sometimes you need a bit of confidence. That could have been a defining factor. Rushil bowled three magnificent overs but could not throw him into the deep end. Everything that is being done is in the best interests of the team, and really happy we fought to qualify. I heard a little child was hurt (during the game), and we would love to do something from our side to make her smile.

Rashid Khan, Player of the Match: I think it was much-needed for us. Pleased with the win. In the middle overs, when I am bowling, it is crucial for me to take wickets to put pressure on the opposition. Always pleasing when you win such a (must-win) game. It was all about the line and length (on this pitch). Tried to hit the right areas and then bowl my leg-spinners, wrong'uns and straighter ones. (On the ball that dismissed Nitish Kumar) I bowled to him a few quicker balls (which he was keeping out). I bowled that ball from behind the crease, which allowed me to give it more air. It was what I had in mind and it went perfectly. In a short competition, you need momentum and this game has given us momentum and it will help us in the upcoming games.

Washington Freedom WAF

San Francisco Unicorns SFU

Texas Super Kings TSK

MI New York MINY

Are qualified for playoffs

Today match is like timepass

WAF vs SFU

SFU won d toss and chose to bowl

Washington Freedom

WAF

22/0

(2)

SFU chose to bowl · CRR: 11.0

T. Head: 11* (8)

S. Smith: 10* (5)

1.6: Matt Henry to Steven Smith, No ball! Touch short and on middle, Steven Smith pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for one. Oh, its a no ball for overstepping. Free hit coming up...

1.6: Matt Henry to Travis Head, SIX! That's the Travis Head we all know! Bowls it full and wide outside off, Travis Head moves to his left and slashes it over deep covers for a biggie.

2.1: Haris Rauf to Steven Smith, FOUR! Welcome to the attack, Haris Rauf. That's cheeky. Length and on off, Steven Smith moves to his right and paddles it over short fine for a boundary.

This is neither play offs nor finals and also both qualified

Calm down

WAF

29/0

(3)

SFU chose to bowl · CRR: 9.67

WAF batting

T. Head: 11* (9)

S. Smith: 17* (10)

SFU bowling

M. Henry: 0/17 (1.0)

H. Rauf: 0/7 (0.6)

END OF OVER 5

16 runs

WSF: 57/0

CRR: 11.40

Steven Smith

33 (18b 4x4 2x6)

Travis Head

21 (14b 2x4 1x6)

Matt Henry

2-0-33-0

Juanoy Drysdale

1-0-11-0

4.2: Matt Henry to Travis Head, FOUR MORE! Fifty up in a flash for the Washington Freedom. Short and on off, Travis Head stays back again and crunches it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

50 Run partnership

T. Head 20* (13)

S. Smith 27* (15)