MLC 2023 | Texas Super Kings' Brave Fightback - A Near Escape to Remember

image-lkjk5oy4Texas Super Kings have made it to the play-offs of MLC 2023 (Source: Twitter)

In an exhilarating clash during the much-anticipated Match 14 of the MLC 2023, Texas Super Kings, determined to secure their spot in the playoffs, locked horns with the formidable San Francisco Unicorns in a virtual eliminator that left everyone on the edge of their seats. Milind Kumar and Daniel Sams emerged as the superstars of the match, Their partnership proved to be the driving force behind the Texas Super Kings' awe-inspiring victory, achieved with just 3 wickets to spare.

Batting first, San Francisco unicorns posted an impressive total of 171 runs on a pitch that was slow and challenging. Matthew Wade provided them the blitzing start, after they lost Finn Allen and Marcus Stoinis early in the powerplay. Chaitanya Bishnoi (scoring 35 runs off 21 balls) played a handy innings at the end, and gave them the strong finish. 

Gerald Coetzee, who was coming back after missing out on a couple of matches, bowled exceptionally well and grabbed 4 wickets, the ever-reliable Mitchell Santner also contributed with 2 wickets. Texas faced an early setback with Faf Du Plessis early exit, but Conway and Milind stabilised the innings. The real game-changer was Daniel Sams, who scored a breathtaking 42 runs off 18 balls, securing victory with four powerful sixes, and assisted Texas in attaining the playoffs ticket.

A Comparative Analysis: Texas vs San Francisco Across Phases

image-lki8rq93Powerplay, Middle Overs & Death Overs Figures

The match between San Francisco Unicorns and Texas Super Kings witnessed a parallel powerplay performance from both teams. Both teams lost a couple of wickets early on but managed to build partnerships during the initial overs. San Francisco Unicorns got off to a strong start, with Matthew Wade providing the much-needed aggression, helping the team score 52 runs in the powerplay while losing two wickets.

On the other hand, Texas Super Kings faced an early setback with Faf Du Plessis departing in the first over. However, Devon Conway stepped up and shifted gears, making effective use of the powerplay. They scored 47 runs for the loss of 2 wickets during this phase. In the middle phase, San Francisco Unicorns managed to score 64 runs while losing 2 wickets during the middle overs. However, the opponent bowlers tightened their grip on the match, making it challenging for the Unicorns to accelerate their scoring rate further.

Meanwhile, Texas Super Kings scored a slightly higher total of 74 runs during the middle overs. However, they faced a bit of trouble as they lost one extra wicket compared to San Francisco. The game-changed in the death overs, San Francisco scored 55 runs and lost 4 wickets but on the other hand, Texas finished strongly, with the assistance of Daniel Sams, as they secured 51 runs and lost 2 wickets, capitalising on Sams explosive hitting, giving Texas the momentum they needed to chase down the target successfully.

Conclusion

With their stunning victory, Texas Super Kings booked their place in the playoffs, securing a well-deserved spot among the top contenders. Their impressive performance throughout the tournament paid off, and they showcased their mettle as a formidable team.

On the other hand, despite their campaign coming to an end, the San Francisco Unicorns can take pride in their overall performance in the tournament. They played good cricket, displaying moments of brilliance and determination. Though they might be disappointed with missing out on the playoffs, they have gained valuable experience and identified areas for improvement.