MI New York produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Seattle Orcas by 17 runs in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026, dealing a major blow to the Orcas’ playoff hopes after defending what looked like a vulnerable total. Seattle seemed to be cruising in search of 180, reaching 137 for 1 after 15 overs with Tim Seifert and Matthew Breetzke in complete control. The pair had already added a century stand and only 43 runs were needed from the last five overs. However, the chase fizzled out dramatically as MI New York struck at regular intervals. Orca lost five wickets during the closing stages and managed just two boundaries in the final two overs, allowing New York to clinch an unlikely victory. Kieron Pollard triggered the collapse by bowling Breetzke with a slower delivery. The veteran celebrated with his trademark ‘finger on the brain’ gesture before immediately leaving the field after appearing to injure his shoulder. Despite the scare, Pollard returned later in the innings and made another crucial contribution by taking the catch to dismiss fellow West Indian Shimron Hetmyer, who tried to attack Rushil Ugarkar after a quiet 17. Although Seattle still had the dangerous Seifert at the crease and the New Zealand batsman also survived a missed chance in the 18th, MI New York kept their composure. Pastor Romario then turned the game decisively in favor of New York. First he produced a superb yorker to clear Marcus Stoinis before having Seifert strike out in a penultimate over that conceded just three runs. With Seattle needing 22 runs from the final over, Pollard closed out the contest to seal an unlikely victory for MI New York. Earlier, New York’s innings had bounced back brilliantly after a top-order collapse. Reduced to 73 for 5 in the 12th over, they looked set for a sub-par score before Pollard and Tajinder Dhillon transformed the innings with a match-defining partnership. The damage had been inflicted mainly by Seattle captain Marcus Stoinis, who claimed the first five-wicket haul of his T20 career. He removed Ryan Rickelton first, dismissed Monank Patel with a slower cutter after Shakib Al Hasan had fallen for 15, and continued to exploit the expert conditions on the Dallas surface. Ottneil Baartman also made an impact with the bowling of Nicholas Pooran, whose tough season continued. Pollard and Dhillon then launched a stunning recovery, adding 80 runs in less than seven overs. His counterattack featured seven sixes and 13 fours as they punished something lost. Dhillon, who benefited from two dropped catches in the 17th and 18th overs, raced to a half-century from just 22 deliveries while reading the slower balls effectively. Stoinis came back late to dismiss Pollard, Shepherd and Trent Boult in the space of five balls, but Dhillon ensured MI New York finished strongly by taking 20 runs off Dasun Shanaka in the final over. Those delays ultimately proved decisive. Dhillon remained unbeaten on 66 to record his first fifty of the season and was named Player of the Match. After the game, he dedicated the award to his brother, who was also his first cricket coach and died in January. The win lifted MI New York to second place in the standings, while Seattle Orcas must now win their final league game to keep their playoff hopes alive. Brief scores: MI New York 179/8 in 20 overs (Tajinder Dhillon 66*, Kieron Pollard 54; Marcus Stoinis 5-46, Ottneil Baartman 2-18) beat Seattle Orcas 162/6 in 20 overs (Tim Seifert 88, Matthew Breetzeron Pollard 4, 2-18) by 17 runs.