Sikandar Raza delivered a masterclass that propelled MI London to a crucial win, lifting them to second place in the standings and consigning London Spirit to an early exit from The Hundred. The match, played in front of a record‑breaking group‑stage audience of 27,721 at Lord's, was a local derby that promised a dramatic showdown, especially after Spirit’s heavy defeat to SunRisers Leeds earlier in the week.
Despite making three changes to their line‑up, Spirit could not match the disciplined performance of the visitors. With Afghanistan’s star leg‑spinner Rashid Khan away on international duty, MI London turned to the Zimbabwean all‑rounder Sikandar Raza to fill the void. Raza answered the call with a composed bowling spell that kept the ball away from the shorter side of the ground, effectively stifling Spirit’s ability to build momentum. Their innings flickered rather than ignited, even though South African batsman Lhuan‑Dre Pretorius managed a steady half‑century.
Pretorius’s effort was ultimately cut short by a spectacular one‑handed catch from Will Jacks, who over‑balanced, tossed the ball up, and dived full‑length to complete the dismissal. Raza 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 have a debut like this. I couldn’t have asked for a better start – I just closed my eyes and swung as hard as I could! It felt good to get a few wickets in the middle, and you have to remember that a game can change completely in ten balls.” Spirit’s early hopes were further dented when David Willey forced his way to 31 runs, but earlier wickets of power‑hitter Liam Livingstone and Dewald Brevis meant the team never truly got off the ground.
A late‑stage resistance from Jamie Overton and James Coles prevented the total from collapsing completely; Coles, in particular, delivered his first innings of real substance for the side. Their aggressive finishing lifted Spirit to a respectable 160‑5, setting a challenging target for MI London, who now needed the highest successful chase ever recorded in the men's Hundred competition at Lord's.
Matt Fisher, who had just been named in England’s Test squad, experienced a mixed start. His first ball for Spirit was dispatched for six by Jacks, but he promptly redeemed himself by taking the wicket of his Surrey teammate Adam Milne on the very next delivery, sending Milne back to the pavilion. Nicholas Pooran, making his inaugural appearance at Lord's, quickly found his rhythm, while Mason Crane—brought in to replace Adam Zampa—produced a superb opening spell.
Crane’s first ball claimed former captain James Vince, and he conceded just three runs from his first ten deliveries, setting an early tone for the chase. Pooran and captain Sam Curran began to accelerate the run‑rate, but the contest grew increasingly heated. Willey added a moment of brilliance with a stunning run‑out, releasing the ball mid‑air while diving, showcasing his athleticism.
However, his dismissal only opened the door for Raza, who joined Curran to create a dangerous left‑right partnership. Raza wasted no time, hitting sixes on his first, fourth, and seventh deliveries, and his explosive 41‑run stand with Curran came from just 18 balls, leaving MI London needing 29 runs from the final 20 balls.
The momentum swung again when Curran struck a deep point off Overton for 33, but Sherfane Rutherford fell for a golden duck shortly after. James Coles then gave away 18 runs in just five balls, including a colossal 105‑metre six from Raza that nearly cleared the ground.
Although Raza was dismissed with ten balls remaining, Ollie Pope took charge, calmly guiding the remaining runs to the finish line and sealing the victory for MI London. After the match, players from both London sides exchanged words, the encounter having been both fiery and at times fractious. For Spirit, the loss ended any hopes of advancing further in the tournament, while MI London celebrated a landmark win that kept their campaign alive. Looking ahead, Friday will feature a double‑header: Birmingham Phoenix women will host SunRisers Leeds at 3 pm, followed by the men’s fixtures at 6:30 pm.
Both matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Fans can continue to follow every game of The Hundred through to the finals on Sunday, 16 August, with streaming available on NOW, offering contract‑free access to the excitement.