In a pulsating finale at Lord's, the Manchester Super Giants secured the 2026 Men's Hundred title by edging out the Trent Rockets in a nail‑biting finish that went down to the very last three deliveries. The match was defined by an explosive innings from Tim Seifert, who smashed an unbeaten 72 runs off just 38 balls, anchoring a chase that saw the Giants overcome a formidable target of 158. Seifert’s innings was historic, as he recorded the fastest half‑century ever in a men's Hundred final.
His aggressive stroke‑play was complemented by rapid contributions from his opening partner Paul Walter, who added 22 runs from 14 balls, and captain Jos Buttler, who struck 23 off 14. The lower middle order also played a pivotal role, with Leus Du Plooy delivering a crucial 27‑run cameo off 18 balls, ensuring the Giants stayed ahead of the required run rate. The Rockets, after posting 158 for the loss of five wickets, seemed poised to defend their total when Mohammed Amir produced a late spell of two wickets, reducing the Giants to a precarious three runs needed from the final five balls. It was then that spinner Liam Dawson, known more for his economical bowling than power‑hitting, rose to the occasion.
Under immense pressure, he unleashed a six on the third ball of the last over, sealing the victory and delivering the Super Giants their maiden Hundred championship. This triumph followed a dramatic eliminator win over SunRisers Leeds, where the Giants had already shown their mettle. The Rockets, meanwhile, were denied the historic double of winning both the men's and women's Hundred titles after their female counterparts had decimated SunRisers Leeds women earlier in the weekend.
The Rockets’ innings began with a solid opening stand from Duckett (31 off 24) and Allen (15 off 13). However, the low‑scoring nature of the Lord's pitch—averaging just 141 runs in the first innings across the tournament—proved challenging. After a modest 33 runs in the powerplay, the Rockets appeared to settle, but Super Giants spinner Noor Ahmad turned the tide.
He dismissed both openers in quick succession, delivering four balls that shifted the scoreboard from 48‑0 to 52‑2. Anuerin Donald then attempted to revive the Rockets’ hopes, crafting an impressive 38 off 19 balls.
Yet a devastating spell of three wickets in 11 balls, which included a comical run‑out of captain Sam Billings, left the side reeling at 95‑5. Lower‑order contributions from Lewis Gregory (32 off 16) and Mitch Santner (20 not out off 16) helped the Rockets post a defendable 158 after using all 100 balls. The chase began with Seifert and Walter providing a blistering start. Their partnership of 66 runs for the first wicket was built in just 26 balls, laying a solid foundation.
A dramatic moment occurred when Finn Allen appeared to take a spectacular one‑handed diving catch of Seifert, only for the third umpire to overturn the decision after a foot brushed the boundary rope, saving Seifert’s wicket. Walter, however, fell three deliveries later, caught at the rope by Duckett, ending the opening stand.
Undeterred, Seifert accelerated, reaching his fifty in just 24 balls—a record for a Hundred final. He combined effectively with Buttler and Du Plooy, maintaining a healthy run rate. The momentum shifted when Amir struck twice in quick succession, removing Heinrich Klaasen (11 off 9) and Michael Bracewell (0 off 2), setting up a tense finale where the Giants required three runs from the final five balls bowled by Ben Sanderson. The first two deliveries of the over were dot balls, heightening the drama.
Tail‑ender Dawson, normally a steady bowler, faced the pressure head‑on. On the third ball, he unleashed a massive six, clinching the title for Manchester and capping off an unforgettable tournament. Captain Jos Buttler reflected on the victory in a post‑match interview with Sky Sports: "A mixture of emotions – the excitement and euphoria of winning it, a little bit of relief after those last few balls – but fantastic effort from everyone to lift the trophy. I think we deserve it.
I enjoyed captaining; it's a bit more stressful, but leading a great bunch of guys with a varied bowling attack was rewarding. Breaking key partnerships was crucial, and the performances from the top order and our wicket‑taking bowlers were outstanding.
Our coaching staff, including Tom Moody and Justin Langer, have been brilliant – I'm proud of everyone involved." The win not only marks the Super Giants' first Hundred title but also underscores the depth of talent in the competition, with emerging stars like Seifert and seasoned campaigners such as Buttler delivering under pressure. The tournament continues to showcase the excitement of the shortened format, drawing fans with its fast‑paced action and dramatic finishes. Looking ahead, cricket enthusiasts can tune into the upcoming three‑Test series between England and Pakistan, starting Wednesday at 11 am at Headingley, available on Sky Sports Cricket.
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