Kieron Pollard smashed an unbeaten 63 off 35 balls as MI New York chased down 166 against Los Angeles Knight Riders, reclaiming top spot in the MLC 2026 in the process after Washington Freedom had briefly moved to No. 1 with their win earlier on Saturday. MI NY joined Freedom on eight points but are ahead on net run-rate, while Knight Riders remained fifth on the points table.

Earlier, Jason Holder‘s 43 off 22 balls had lifted LAKR to 165 for 6 after Matthew Tromp had anchored the innings with 44 off 36. Tromp rebuilt after an early setback and shared a 63-run stand with Andre Fletcher and put on 31 runs with Rovman Powell before Holder’s late burst, which featured three fours and three sixes. But Corbin Bosch‘s excellent 3 for 19 kept MI NY in the contest, while Rushil Ugarkar also picked up three wickets of his own.

In the chase, MI NY were made to work hard. Quinton de Kock fell in the second over and Nicholas Pooran struggled before departing for a 23-ball 16, leaving them at 38 for 2. Monank Patel steadied the innings with 32, but when he fell in the 12th over and Tajinder Singh’s entertaining cameo ended three balls later, MI NY were 80 for 4 and still needed 86 from 49 deliveries.

Pollard then took charge, coming off a few quiet innings in the tournament. He struck six fours and two sixes, while Corey Anderson provided ideal support act with 37 not out off 24. Their unbroken 88-run partnership for the fifth wicket got the team closer to the target before they sealed the chase with one ball to spare. This was their third consecutive win in this tournament.