Oakland, CA (June 27, 2026): MI New York snapped the Los Angeles Knight Riders' unbeaten start to the Major League Cricket season with a commanding 41-run victory at the Oakland Coliseum, thanks to an unbeaten half-century from Nicholas Pooran and a clinical bowling display led by Nosthush Kenjige and Corbin Bosch.

Defending a modest total of 144 for 6 on a slow, low surface, MI New York dismantled the Knight Riders for 103 in 17.5 overs to register their second win of the campaign. Pooran anchored the innings with an unbeaten 70 off 58 deliveries before Kenjige (3-21), Bosch (3-26) and Romario Shepherd (1-5) combined to produce one of the most disciplined bowling performances of the tournament.
Left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige returned figures of 3 for 21, playing a pivotal role in MI New York's comprehensive victory over the Los Angeles Knight Riders. Photo by Ron Gaunt / Sportzpics for MLC

After winning the toss and electing to bat, MI New York made an aggressive start through Quinton de Kock, who raced to 33 from just 17 balls, striking five boundaries and two sixes. Sunil Narine ended the left-hander's brisk knock in the third over, and MI New York soon found themselves under pressure as the sluggish pitch made stroke-making increasingly difficult.

While wickets fell regularly around him, Pooran remained composed, rotating the strike before accelerating when opportunities presented themselves. Andre Russell kept LAKR firmly in the contest with an outstanding spell of 4 for 35, removing Corbin Bosch and Kieron Pollard with successive deliveries, the latter recording his second consecutive golden duck. Pooran, however, ensured MI New York finished strongly, reaching his fifty with a towering six off Russell before guiding his side to a competitive 144 for 6. Shepherd added valuable late runs with an unbeaten 20.

Chasing 145, the Knight Riders appeared well placed after Colin Munro and Andre Fletcher shared a 53-run opening partnership. The momentum shifted dramatically when Munro was run out for 20 following sharp fielding from Rushil Ugarkar, triggering a collapse from which LAKR never recovered.


Left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige struck immediately, trapping Unmukt Chand lbw before removing Rovman Powell, stumped charging down the wicket, and then dismissing Narine to reduce the Knight Riders to 70 for 4.

Shepherd tightened the screws with two successive maiden overs, conceding just five runs from his full quota while dismissing Saif Badar. Bosch then effectively sealed the contest, clean bowling Jason Holder and Andre Russell with consecutive deliveries to leave LAKR reeling. Both all-rounders departed for golden ducks.

Fletcher battled valiantly with 44 from 40 balls but lacked support as wickets continued to tumble. His dismissal to Bosch at mid-off ended the Knight Riders' resistance as they were bowled out for 103, handing MI New York a comprehensive 41-run victory.

The result marked an emphatic response from MI New York after consecutive defeats, with Pooran's measured innings providing the foundation before their bowlers executed their plans to perfection. Kenjige's incisive spell, Shepherd's remarkable control and Bosch's finishing burst highlighted a complete team performance that halted the Knight Riders' perfect start to the season.

Both teams now head to Los Angeles for the next leg of the tournament, with MI New York carrying valuable momentum while LAKR will look to quickly rebound from their first defeat.

Brief Scores: MI New York 144/6 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 70* off 58, Quinton de Kock 33; Andre Russell 4/35, Sunil Narine 1/12) beat Los Angeles Knight Riders 103 in 17.5 overs (Andre Fletcher 44, Colin Munro 20; Nosthush Kenjige 3/21, Corbin Bosch 3/26, Romario Shepherd 1/5) by 41 runs.