In a thrilling showdown at Lord's, MI London produced a masterclass performance anchored by Sikandar Raza, propelling the franchise to second place on the league table and sealing London Spirit's early exit from The Hundred. The match, played before a historic group‑stage audience of 27,721 spectators, was billed as a must‑win for Spirit after their heavy defeat to SunRisers Leeds earlier in the week. Despite making three changes to their line‑up, Spirit fell short, while MI London capitalised on the opportunity to secure a vital win.
Raza, the Zimbabwean all‑rounder, was drafted in to replace the absent star leg‑spinner Rashid Khan, who was on international duty with Afghanistan. From the outset, Raza helped enforce a disciplined bowling strategy that kept the ball away from the shorter side of the ground, limiting the opposition’s ability to generate quick runs.
The result was a Spirit innings that never truly gained momentum; it flickered rather than flared, even though South African batsman Lhuan‑Dre Pretorius managed a composed half‑century. Pretorius’s innings was brought to an abrupt end by an extraordinary catch from MI London’s Will Jacks. Jacks overbalanced on the edge of the field, tossed the ball into the air, and then dove full‑length to complete a one‑handed catch that left the crowd roaring.
After the dismissal, Raza reflected on his own experience: “Four days ago I was in Sri Lanka and I’m not really sure what day or date it is, but it’s great to be part of The Hundred and to have a debut like this. I just closed my eyes and swung as hard as I could!” He added that a few quick wickets can completely change the complexion of a game within ten balls.
The Spirit batting line‑up struggled to build a competitive total. David Willey fought hard, reaching 31 runs, but early wickets of power hitters Liam Livingstone and Dewald Brevis left the side scrambling.
Late‑order contributions from Jamie Overton and James Coles provided some resistance, with Coles delivering his first substantial innings for the franchise. Their aggressive finishing pushed Spirit to a respectable 160‑5, a score that set a challenging target for MI London – the highest successful chase ever recorded in the men’s Hundred competition at Lord’s. MI London’s chase began with an early setback when Matt Fisher, recently named in England’s Test squad, was dismissed for a six that flew straight back over his head off a Jacks delivery.
However, Fisher’s mis‑fire was quickly avenged when his Surrey teammate Adam Milne claimed Fisher’s wicket on the very next ball, bowling him out with a well‑timed delivery. Nicholas Pooran, making his debut at Lord's, found his rhythm quickly, while Mason Crane – brought in as a replacement for Adam Zampa – delivered an outstanding opening spell. Crane’s first ball claimed former captain James Vince, and he kept the run rate in check by conceding only three runs in his first ten balls.
Pooran and captain Sam Curran then accelerated the chase, but the contest grew increasingly heated. Willey produced a moment of brilliance with a spectacular run‑out, releasing the ball mid‑air and diving to complete the dismissal. The wicket of the Trinidadian player set the stage for Raza’s explosive cameo. He entered the fray and immediately made an impact, hitting sixes off his first, fourth, and seventh deliveries.
His aggressive partnership with Curran yielded 41 runs from just 18 balls, reducing the required target to 29 runs from the final 20 deliveries. The momentum swung again when Curran struck a deep point off Overton for 33, but Sherfane Rutherford fell for a golden duck, keeping the pressure on.
James Coles then bowled a short spell that proved costly, conceding 18 runs in five deliveries, highlighted by a massive 105‑metre six from Raza that nearly cleared the ground. Although Raza was dismissed with ten balls remaining, the left‑right combination he forged with Curran had already set the tone.
Ollie Pope, displaying calm composure, saw MI London across the line, sealing a memorable victory. After the match, both London sides exchanged words on the field, reflecting on a fiery and at times contentious encounter.
For London Spirit, the defeat extinguished any hopes of progressing further in the tournament, while MI London celebrated a landmark win that solidified their position in the competition. Looking ahead, Friday will feature a double‑header: Birmingham Phoenix’s women’s team will host SunRisers Leeds at 3 p.m., followed by the men’s fixtures at 6:30 p.m., both broadcast live on Sky Sports. The Hundred will continue through to the finals on Sunday, 16 August, with every match available to stream contract‑free on NOW.