Nicholas Pooran and Sam Curran guided MI London to a seven-wicket win over Sunrisers Leeds in the opening match of The Hundred Men’s Competition at the Kia Oval on Tuesday. Chasing 144, MI London reached the target in 84 balls, with 16 balls to spare, as Pooran struck an unbeaten 58 off 22 deliveries and Curran remained not out on 60 off 39.
Sunrisers Leeds had posted 143 after being put in to field first, but their innings fell apart against Richard Gleeson, who returned figures of 4 for 25. MI London lost early wickets in the chase before Pooran and Curran combined for an unbroken stand that settled the contest.
Pooran, Curran Steady MI London After Top-Order Slump
MI London slipped to 4 for 2 inside the first six balls after Brydon Carse removed Will Jacks and Jason Roy in quick succession. Nathan Ellis then bowled James Vince, leaving the score at 51 for 3 after 44 balls.
Pooran walked in and immediately changed the tempo, hitting two fours and a six in three balls off Benny Howell. He went on to complete his fifty off just 19 balls, the fastest half-century by a batter at the venue for the franchise.
Curran anchored the innings at the other end, finishing with five fours and three sixes in his knock. Their stand carried MI London home without further loss, handing Sunrisers Leeds defeat on the opening night of the tournament. Pooran had represented the same franchise in 2024, when it was known as Northern Superchargers.
Gleeson’s Four-Wicket Haul Restricts Sunrisers Leeds
Sunrisers Leeds were sent in to bat after MI London won the toss. Openers Ryan Rickelton and Mitchell Marsh gave the innings a fast start, with Rickelton hitting three sixes in five balls before being dismissed lbw by Sam Curran.
Harry Brook hit a six off Rashid Khan but fell to the same bowler on the next delivery, caught by Nathan Sowter. Marsh continued to attack, striking three sixes in a 27-ball innings of 41, before he was caught by Sam Curran off Tom Curran. Gleeson then removed Dan Lawrence, Zak Crawley and Howell in a tight spell, pulling the innings back.
Tom Alsop made 31 off 18 balls to push the total past 140, and Gleeson finished the innings by dismissing Ellis, ending with figures of 4 for 25 from 19 balls.
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Pooran Named Player of the Match After Fifty and Two Catches
Pooran was named Player of the Match for his innings of 58 not out, which came with five fours and five sixes, along with two catches behind the stumps.
Speaking after the match, Pooran said the partnership with Curran focused on rotating strike and finding boundaries when possible. He also referred to having his wife and daughter in the crowd, calling it a meaningful moment after what he described as a difficult year with the bat.
MI London’s win puts them on top of the table with four points, while Sunrisers Leeds start the tournament without a win. The result marks a strong start for MI London’s campaign, with Pooran and Curran’s form likely to be central to the team’s progress through the competition.
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