MI New York vs Seattle Orcas: Monank Patel and Michael Bracewell Star in a Dominant Chase
1. Match Overview
In a highly anticipated Major League Cricket 2025 clash, MI New York (MINY) defeated Seattle Orcas (SEO) by 7 wickets in a power-packed, high-scoring thriller. The match saw standout performances by Monank Patel, who smashed a record-breaking 93, and Michael Bracewell, who contributed with both bat and ball to guide MINY home in the penultimate over of the match.
Seattle Orcas, batting first, posted a formidable 200/5, thanks to a whirlwind innings by Kyle Mayers. However, it wasn’t enough, as MINY chased down the target with six balls to spare.
2. Seattle Orcas Innings – Explosive Start, Unfinished Finish
Seattle Orcas began cautiously before exploding in the middle overs. Their top performer was Kyle Mayers, who smashed 88 runs off just 46 balls, including 10 towering sixes. Alongside him, Shayan Jahangir scored a fluent 43 and helped anchor the innings during a crucial 77-run partnership that took the team from a tricky position to a powerful total.
Despite their strong start, the Orcas were unable to fully capitalize in the death overs. Wickets at crucial stages, especially in the 17th and 19th overs, prevented them from pushing past 210–220, which looked well within reach at one point.
Key highlights from the innings:
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Mayers: 88 off 46 balls (10 sixes)
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Jahangir: 43 off 30 balls
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Total: 200/5 in 20 overs
3. MI New York Bowling Performance
While the Orcas racked up a strong total, MI New York’s bowlers showed commendable control in the key overs. The standout was Michael Bracewell, who bowled a tight spell of 1/20 in his 4 overs and broke the dangerous Mayers-Jahangir partnership.
Naveen-ul-Haq also delivered at the death, taking two important wickets to restrict Seattle from posting an even bigger total. The bowling unit, though expensive early on, pulled things back effectively in the final 4 overs.
Date: 19 June 2025
Event: Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, Match 9
Venue: Oakland Coliseum, California
4. MI New York Chase – Calm Start, Fierce Finish
Chasing 201, MI New York began cautiously. The early dismissal of Quinton de Kock put pressure on the top order, but the American captain Monank Patel and all-rounder Michael Bracewell steadied the ship with a match-defining 119-run partnership.
Monank Patel was initially slow, reaching just 4 runs off his first 12 deliveries. However, he soon switched gears in spectacular fashion, launching an all-out assault on the Orcas bowlers. He struck 8 fours and 7 sixes in his 93-run knock — the highest individual score by an American-born cricketer in MLC history.
Bracewell played a perfect supporting role, rotating strike and ensuring the scoreboard ticked over while hitting occasional boundaries of his own. His unbeaten 50 off 35 balls displayed calmness and confidence.
5. Record-Breaking Innings from Monank Patel
Monank Patel’s 93 off 50 deliveries was a masterclass in T20 batting. After a cautious start, he found his rhythm and launched into the bowlers with elegance and power. His knock is now the highest by an American-born player in MLC and was the cornerstone of MINY’s successful chase.
The innings was not just about power-hitting but also about temperament. Coming in early after the loss of de Kock, Patel read the conditions, absorbed pressure, and timed his counterattack perfectly.
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6. Michael Bracewell – The Complete All-Round Show
Bracewell’s contribution cannot be overstated. With the ball, he picked up a crucial early wicket and bowled his 4 overs economically. With the bat, he showed maturity and strategic acumen, anchoring the middle overs with Patel before accelerating towards the end.
His unbeaten 50, combined with his tidy bowling figures, made him a strong contender for the Player of the Match. Bracewell demonstrated the kind of balance and composure that franchises look for in elite T20 cricketers.
7. Kieron Pollard Adds the Final Touch
While Patel and Bracewell did the heavy lifting, Kieron Pollard, MI New York’s power-hitter and veteran, finished the match in style. With just 26 runs needed off the last 2 overs, Pollard smashed an unbeaten 26 off just 10 deliveries to seal the win in the 19th over.
Pollard’s quickfire knock added gloss to an already dominant performance by the MI New York batting lineup and ensured a net run-rate boost.
8. Match Summary
Team | Innings Summary | Top Performers |
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Seattle Orcas | 200/5 (20 overs) | Kyle Mayers 88, Jahangir 43 |
MI New York | 203/3 (19 overs) | Monank Patel 93, Bracewell 50* |
Result | MI New York won by 7 wickets |
9. Player Ratings
Player | Performance | Rating (out of 10) |
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Monank Patel | 93 (50) – match-winning innings | 9.5 |
Michael Bracewell | 1/20 (4) and 50* (35) | 9.0 |
Kyle Mayers | 88 (46) – explosive batting | 8.5 |
Naveen-ul-Haq | 2 wickets in death overs | 7.5 |
Kieron Pollard | 26* off 10 – finishing touch | 7.0 |
10. Strategic Observations
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Orcas’ Dependency on Top-Order: Despite a strong start, the middle order faltered. A lack of depth was evident once the top 3 fell.
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MINY’s Depth: The ability to rebuild and accelerate under pressure showed the squad’s experience and planning.
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Bracewell’s Versatility: His dual role as a top-class bowler and reliable batter makes him an invaluable asset.
11. What This Win Means for MI New York
This was MI New York’s first win in the 2025 MLC season, helping them bounce back after early stumbles. With momentum shifting their way, and key players finding form, they now appear well-positioned to challenge the top spots in the league.
The batting order looks settled, the bowling unit has variety, and leadership under Pollard continues to inspire stability and confidence.
12. Concerns for Seattle Orcas
The Orcas remain winless in the season, which raises alarms about team balance and tactical decision-making. Their inability to defend 200 points to bowling inefficiencies and lack of middle-order stability.
They will need to regroup quickly before their next game, or they risk slipping further down the standings.
13. Fan Sentiment and Community Buzz
Social media was abuzz with reactions to Monank Patel’s innings. American cricket fans hailed his performance as a sign of the sport’s growth in the country. Forums and threads echoed sentiments of admiration and hope for domestic talent making a mark on an international stage.
MI New York fans celebrated the return to form, while Orcas’ supporters expressed frustration over yet another close game slipping away.
14. Upcoming Fixtures
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MI New York’s Next Match: They face Washington Freedom in what could be a crucial tie for playoff contention.
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Seattle Orcas’ Next Match: Up against a resurging LA Knight Riders squad — a must-win encounter.
15. Conclusion
The MI New York vs Seattle Orcas match served as a showcase of what Major League Cricket has to offer: electric performances, record-breaking moments, and thrilling finishes.
Monank Patel’s 93 and Michael Bracewell’s all-round brilliance ensured that MI New York secured a much-needed victory and revitalized their campaign. For the Orcas, another loss highlights a season of promise yet to be fulfilled.
This contest not only provided great entertainment but also reaffirmed the rise of cricket in the United States, led by stars both local and international.