Noor's 4-Fer Shines for TSK as they crush LAKR by 57 Runs

@Noor Ahmed's reaction after taking the wicket vs LAKR in MLC2025

 June 16, 2025 The Texas Super Kings (TSK) outclassed the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) by 57 runs in the fifth match of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, played in Oakland. This was the second successive win by TSK in the competition exhibiting overall capability of the team with major inputs by both the batting and the bowling departments. Clear sky characterized the game that emphasized the strategic depth of TSK and the inability of LAKR who lost their second game in two matches. The match has been described in detail below with the most important performances, the decisive moments and the match within the context of MLC 2025.

Match Overview :

TSK 181/4 ( 20 overs )

LAKR 124 all out (17.1 overs)

Texas Super Kings made a dominating score and then bowled out the Knight Riders batting line-up with ease, a resounding 57-run win. 

LAKR won the toss and asked TSK led by captain Faf du Plessis to bat first. TSK also had a respectable 181 / 4 in 20 overs, which was powered by a collective batting performance. In reply, LAKR collapsed under pressure as they were bowled out at 124 and TSK easily won by 57 runs. The game highlighted the superiority of TSK in both teams and Adam Milne, Noor Ahmad, Devon Conway, and Donovan Ferreira were leading in their performances.

TSK Innings: Set up & Acceleration :

The innings were marked by strong beginning and shrewd cameos:

Opening burst :

• Devon Carry-On Conway and Saiteja Mukkamalla also put on a perilous opening partnership of 57 in only 5.1 overs Conway 34 in 22 (4*4 ,1* 6) and Mukkamalla 31 in 22 (3* 4 ,2* 6)

• That opening attack was scorching in nature TSK 50 in 5.2 overs

• Middle-order shifts:

• Faf du Plessis was dismissed cheaply (8 off 10), although Daryl Mitchell (36 not out off 33) and Shubham Ranjane (24 off 19) played intelligently and at a good rate

• A neat stand in the middle overs took the score to over 120 in 15 overs

Final flourish:

• Donovan Ferreira went berserk scoring 32 runs off 16 balls with a 200 strike‑rate to finish the innings with a strong 181/4

Bowling Woes of LAKR :

The bowling unit of LAKR did not manage to profit by the early exit of du Plessis. Sangha also bowled cleanly but others such as Andre Russell and Sunil Narine failed to stop the runs. The inability to gain early advantages following the first wicket gave TSK the advantage to gain momentum especially with the Conway-Mukkamalla partnership. The fielding of LAKR was also quite poor and they missed some chances which enabled the middle order to take advantage in TSK. The failure to dislodge alliances at key moments resulted in LAKR continually playing catch-up, and TSK had a total of 181 at the end which was far above par on a pitch which subsequently proved difficult to bat on.

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Chase: A Collapse by LAKR under Pressure

In response to 182, LAKR batting failed to resist the stern bowling of TSK, as the lineup collapsed. The innings started in a bad way as Andre Fletcher was dismissed by Adam Milne in the second over. Alex Hales (25 off 17) and Unmukt Chand (22 off 23) fought back with 27 runs partnership to the second wicket but they score slowly which created pressure on the middle-order. The run chase never got any pace, with TSK bowlers, spearheaded by Milne and Noor Ahmad, not letting off the pressure.

The best performer was Noor Ahmad with the figures of 4/25. The young Afghan spinner rattled through the middle and lower order at LAKR and he sent back important players such as Nitish Kumar, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Tromp. His capability of changing the pace and drawing turn on a low and slow pitch was the reason behind the fall of LAKR. Adam Milne followed Noor with another economical bowling performance of 2/8 off 3.1 overs, dismissing Fletcher and Tanveer Sangha. Kyle Wiig also contributed 2 for 25 to make sure that LAKR did not have any reprieve.

Shadley van Schalkwyk was the top scorer of LAKR with 27 runs and the short but sweet innings by Tromp at a strike rate of 191.66 gave a little hope. There was no batter though who could turn the starts into a meaningful score and LAKR could only score 124 before being dismissed 57 runs short. The pursuit also showed that LAKR is too dependent on their top order and that they are incapable of managing quality spin together with quality pace.

TSK Bowling Masterclass :

Spin and pace magic:

Noor Ahmad: The left-arm spinner of the century 4/22 at 4 overs, destroying the hopes of the LAKR chase

Adam Milne: Razor sharp pace bowling 2/8 in 3.1 overs, sucking the life out of any bit of momentum

Zia-ul-Haq: Helped out 1/28 in 3 overs as support to the attack

Stephen Wiig & Daryl Mitchell: Filling in cost effective overs and contributing -Wiig picking up 2 wickets and Mitchell picking up a wicket also

 Major Game Moments :

• The 57-run powerplay stand shifted the momentum in favour of TSK.

• Extras and upset toss: 16 extra runs- 10 wides as it is, this is a wonderful scoring by LAKR bowlers

• Noor attack spin: Two wickets Within three overs (Nitish Kumar and Tromp) ended any LAKR come back

• The resistance was further demolished by Adam Milne who took two       wickets- Fletcher and Sangha.

• Cameo by Ferreira: 32 off 16 brought the innings to the side of TSK with a      smashing batting performance

Implications & Standings :

• TSK leaped to 2 wins and 2 matches to lead Group X with healthy Net Run Rate .

• LAKR on the other hand fell flat on their faces with 0 wins out of 2 games and they desperately require adjusting.

Upcoming matches:

TSK wanted to have regular supremacy in future games.

Without their key men (Narine, Russell in cameo appearances) LAKR hoped to pick themselves up the next time.

Tactical Insights :

• TSK game plan: Early attack with the bat, pressure with the disciplined bowling. Powerplay supremacy caused organised batting and creative end-game-punting.

• The downfalls of LAKR: Dependency on the top order, the non-existence of middle order and inexperience against spin bowling, especially the swing of Noor.

• Spin significance: The play of Noor in Oakland (preferred spinning conditions) switched match momentum, and it reflected clever use of resources by TSK.

Post‑Match Quotes :

  Faf du Plessis (TSK Captain): Bowling was a positive and team was intense and well able to cope with tricky conditions .

Sunil Narine (LAKR captain): Admitted his weaknesses with the bat, and vowed to improve in his return and bowling discipline .

Noor Ahmad: I tried to make it simple… length is very crucial.

Conclusion :

On June 16, 2025, the Texas Super Kings outclassed the Los Angeles Knight Riders by 57 runs, which was a testimony to the overall power of the former in MLC 2025. Riding on a strong batting performance by Conway, Mukkamalla, Mitchell and Ferreira, and the deadly bowling performance by Noor Ahmad and Milne, TSK dominated all the departments against LAKR. In the case of LAKR, the game revealed weaknesses in their batting and bowling and they must work on them so that they can be competitive. With MLC 2025 underway, TSK is already in form and should be taken seriously as a team on the move, whereas LAKR will have to pick themselves up and get going fast to salvage their season.

Brief Scores : 

TSK Innings : 181/4 (20 Overs)  Daryl Mitchell 36* off 33 Balls (2 fours & 1 Sixes), Devon Conway 34 off 22 Balls (4 Fours And 1 Six)

LAKR Bowling : Tanvir Sangha 2/32 (4 Overs), Shadley van Schalkwyk 1/25(3 over)

LAKR Innings : 124/10 (17.1 Overs)Shadley van Schalkwyk 27 off 21 Balls (2 Fours And 2 Sixes), Alex Hales 25 off 17 Balls (1 Four & 3 Sixes)

TSK Bowling : Noor Ahmad 4/25 (4 Overs), Adam Milne 2/8 (3.1 Overs)

Player of the Match : Noor Ahmad

Result : Texas Super Kings Won by 57 Runs