Sikandar Raza delivered a masterclass that propelled MI London to a crucial win, lifting them to second place in the standings and sealing London Spirit’s early exit from The Hundred. The match, played in front of a record‑breaking group‑stage audience of 27,721 at Lord's, was billed as a local derby, and while Spirit needed nothing less than a win after a heavy defeat to SunRisers Leeds earlier in the week, their three changes were insufficient to turn the tide. With Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan away on international duty, MI London called upon the Zimbabwean all‑rounder to fill the leg‑spin slot.
Raza answered the call with a disciplined spell, keeping the ball well away from the shorter side of the ground and forcing Spirit into a tentative rhythm. Despite a composed fifty from South African Lhuan‑Dre Pretorius, the Spirit innings never truly ignited; it flickered, lacking the momentum needed to post a competitive total.
Pretorius’ half‑century was ultimately cut short by a spectacular catch from MI London’s Will Jacks. Jacks, who over‑balanced on the edge, tossed the ball into the air and dived full‑length, completing the dismissal with a one‑handed grab that left the crowd roaring. Raza later reflected on his debut, saying, “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 start like this.
I just closed my eyes and swung as hard as I could. It’s amazing to get a few wickets in the middle – a game can change in ten balls.” Spirit’s middle order struggled after the early loss of power‑hitter Liam Livingstone and the dismissal of Dewald Brevis. David Willey managed a gritty 31, but the early setbacks meant the team could not build the imposing total they had hoped for.
Late‑stage resistance from Jamie Overton and James Coles added some stability, with Coles delivering his most substantial innings for the side to date. Their aggressive finishing lifted Spirit to a respectable 160‑5, setting a challenging target for MI London – the highest successful chase ever recorded in the men’s Hundred at Lord’s. Matt Fisher, who had just been named in England’s Test squad, made an immediate impact for Spirit when his first ball was dispatched for six by Jacks. However, his moment of triumph was short‑lived as he was dismissed on the very next delivery, bowled by his Surrey teammate Adam Milne.
Meanwhile, Nicholas Pooran, playing his inaugural match at Lord's, quickly found his stride. Mason Crane, drafted in for Adam Zampa, produced a superb opening spell, taking former captain James Vince with his very first delivery and conceding only three runs in his opening ten balls. As the chase progressed, Pooran and captain Sam Curran began to accelerate. The contest grew increasingly heated, and Willey provided a flash of brilliance with a daring run‑out, releasing the ball mid‑air while diving to dismiss a runner.
The wicket, however, only opened the door for Raza, who entered the fray alongside Curran, forming a dangerous left‑right partnership. Raza wasted no time, launching his first, fourth and seventh deliveries for six, and his explosive 41‑run stand with Curran, built from just 18 balls, left MI London needing only 29 runs from the final 20 deliveries. The momentum swung again when Curran dispatched a deep‑point shot off Overton for a boundary, but Spirit’s Sherfane Rutherford fell for a golden duck shortly after.
James Coles then bowled an expensive over, conceding 18 runs in five balls, highlighted by a colossal 105‑metre six from Raza that nearly cleared the stadium. Although Raza was dismissed with ten balls remaining, Ollie Pope steadied the innings, guiding MI London home with composure and ensuring the chase was completed. The two London sides exchanged words as they left the field after a fiery, occasionally fractious encounter, but the result was clear: Spirit’s defeat ended any hope of progressing further in the tournament.
Looking ahead, Friday will feature a double‑header with Birmingham Phoenix’s women’s side hosting SunRisers Leeds at 3 p.m., followed by the men’s fixtures at 6:30 p.m., both broadcast live on Sky Sports. Fans can continue to follow every match of The Hundred through to the finals on Sunday, 16 August, with streaming available on NOW without a contract.