London Spirit tried everything they could to win the intense local derby at Lord’s, but they left the ground with a bitter taste. Their innings of 160-5 looked like it could be enough, but MI London proved them wrong with a thrilling chase in the final overs. A record crowd of 27,721 watched history unfold, but for Spirit, it didn’t go their way.
Raza’s explosive innings turns game
Sikandar Raza made the most of his opportunity for MI London. Just days after returning from a match in Sri Lanka, he stepped onto the field and took charge of the chase. He treated the 95-metre straight boundary as if it were an open goal, clearing it on his first, fourth, and seventh deliveries. Teaming up with Sam Curran, Raza blasted 41 runs in just 18 balls, completely flipping the momentum in MI London's favor.
After the game, Raza told Sky Sports: “I couldn’t have asked for a better start — I just closed my eyes and swung as hard as I could.” That swing nearly brought the crowd to their feet when he hit a 105-metre six that almost cleared the boundary. The impact of his performance was undeniable, shifting the match from a close race to a runaway win.
Spirit’s late push falls short
Despite a late surge by Jamie Overton and James Coles, London Spirit’s total of 160-5 failed to match the intensity of MI London’s chase. Power-hitters Liam Livingstone and Dewald Brevis both got out early, leaving the team without the punch they needed. David Willey did his best, hammering out a vital 31, but it wasn’t enough to change the direction of the game.
James Coles made his first real contribution of the season, scoring 28 runs from just 14 balls, but it was too little too late. The earlier dismissals had already weakened Spirit’s foundation, and the collapse continued despite the late efforts. The innings built on late fireworks didn’t quite match up to the target.
MI London’s bowlers laid the groundwork for their victory. Mason Crane, stepping in for Adam Zampa, bowled a tight opening spell, leaving Nick Pooran stunned with the first delivery. Captain Sam Curran, making his debut in the role, picked up a key wicket of James Vince in his first over. These early successes gave MI London a psychological edge.
Will Jacks made headlines with one of the most unlikely catches of the season. At mid-on, he stretched full length to catch Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, who had just reached 50. Jacks launched himself, threw the ball up in the air, and completed the dismissal with one hand, turning a potential 10-run over into zero. The crowd was left in stunned silence before erupting in applause.
By the 18th over, MI London needed 29 runs from the last 20 deliveries. Raza and Curran were in full stride, but the momentum shifted slightly when Curran was run out. Raza soon followed, but Ollie Pope stepped in with composure and finished the chase on the final ball. The moment was electric — silence in the stadium turned into deafening cheers as MI London sealed the win.
This defeat means London Spirit will be missing the semi-finals for the first time in two seasons. Their hopes were dashed in front of a record crowd, which only added to the bitterness of the loss. On the other side, MI London now sit in second place, with bragging rights in hand and a strong chance of making a deeper run in the competition. The match was filled with intensity, drama, and unforgettable moments.
The Hundred continues with another action-packed day on Friday. Birmingham Phoenix women’s team will take on SunRisers Leeds at 3pm, followed by the men’s match at 6:30pm. Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports. With the competition reaching its climax, every match matters, and the drama is just beginning. Don’t miss a moment — watch The Hundred and more contract-free on NOW.