MLC 2023, MINY vs SFU | Preview, Pitch Report, Probable XIs, Fantasy Tips & Prediction

MI New York and San Francisco Unicorns set to come up against each other in Match 2 of the inaugural season of Major League Cricket (MLC) on Saturday, July 15. The match will take place at the newly built Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Both the teams are playing their first match of the tournament and will be keen to kick-off their campaign with a win.

Team Previews

MI New York

MI New York, the sister franchise of the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has accumulated a star studded line-up for the debut season. Former MI veteran, Kieron Pollard will captain the side with many of his fellow MI teammates forming the core of the group. 

The likes of Nicholas Pooran, Tim David ensure a lot of power hitting abilities in the batting, followed by a solid bowling attack comprising the likes of Trent Boult and Kagiso Rabada. 

There are some notable USA superstars in the side which will offer the much needed local flavor. Overall, a very balanced squad on paper and an early contender to lift the trophy in the inaugural season.

San Francisco Unicorns

On the other hand, San Francisco Unicorns, led by Aaron Finch, the 2021 T20 World Cup winning captain, possess a very good depth with all-round players, including the likes of Shadab Khan, Corey Anderson, Marcus Stoinis and USA’s Tajinder Singh.

They have also aligned some prominent bowlers like Haris Rauf, Liam Plunkett and the tall left arm seamer Carmi Le Roux ahead of the debut season. Indian domestic players like Smit Patel and Chaitanya Bishnoi will be in action as well. 

A very versatile group overall which is not rated much by many but can potentially surprise and excel in this tournament.

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Match Details

Date & Time: July 15, 02:00 AM IST

Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas

Live Streaming and Broadcast: Jio Cinema and Sports18

Pitch Report

The surface at the Grand Prairie Stadium is a balanced one for a T20 match. There can be some help for the seamers initially but batters can go big throughout the innings once they are settled. Overall, a good wicket and the first innings score is expected to be around 180. Team winning the toss should bowl first.

Probable Playing XIs

MI New York: Dewald Brevis, Monank Patel, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Shayan Jahangir, Kieron Pollard (c), Tim David, Nosthush Kenjige, Jessy Singh,  Sarbjeet Ladda, Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada.

San Francisco Unicorns: Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Wade (wk), David White, Marcus Stoinis, Shadab Khan, Tajinder Singh, Corey Anderson, Carmi Le Roux, Haris Rauf, Liam Plunkett, Sanjay Krishnamurthi

Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

Wicket-keepers: Monank Patel, Nicholas Pooran

Batters: Dewald Brevis, Aaron Finch, David White

All-Rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Shadab Khan

Bowlers: Trent Bould, Kagiso Rabada, Haris Rauf, Sarbjeet Ladda

Captain: Nicholas Pooran

Vice Captain: Shadab Khan

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Prediction

Considering both the teams on paper, MI New York will start this match as favorites. With such a star studded line-up, the Kieron Pollard-led unit should be able to get the better of San Francisco Unicorns in this match.