Top performers in MLC 2025 – From Monank Patel to Noor Ahmad | Cricket News

Monank Patel and Noor Ahmad

The third edition of the Major League Cricket ran from June 12 to July 13, 2025. The season was expanded to 34 matches, unlike the previous edition, which featured 25 matches in 2024. MI New York won the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) championship, securing their second league title by defeating Washington Freedom by five runs in a dramatic final-over thriller.Here’s a look at the top performers of the third season of MLC:

Top Batting Performances

1. Monank PatelMonank Patel was the leading run-scorer of the tournament and also the standout performer for MI New York, helping them clinch their second MLC title. Patel scored 478 runs in 13 innings, averaging 36.76 with a blazing strike rate of 142.26, smashing 48 fours and 18 sixes. He scored four half-centuries and finished as the Orange Cap holder of the tournament.One of the defining moments of his campaign came against the Seattle Orcas when he smashed 93, the highest individual score by an American player in MLC history at that stage. The innings powered MI New York to a seven-wicket victory and put Patel firmly among the tournament’s standout performers.2. Faf du PlessisTexas Super Kings captain Faf du Plessis ended the tournament as the highest run-scorer for his franchise. Leading from the front, Faf scored 468 runs in just 10 innings, averaging 52 with an astonishing strike rate of 170.18. He smashed 38 fours and 27 sixes.Faf’s breakout knock of the season came against MI New York when he scored 103 off 53 balls, making him the first player to register three centuries in MLC history. Leading from the front as captain, du Plessis took Texas Super Kings into the playoffs, where they lost Qualifier 2 to MI New York by seven wickets.3. Quinton de KockQuinton de Kock played an anchored season for MI New York in their title-winning campaign and finished as the second-leading run-scorer for the franchise behind Monank Patel. He scored 373 runs in 12 innings, averaging 31.08 with a strike rate of 142.91, hitting 35 fours and 18 sixes.De Kock registered four half-centuries, with a highest score of 77 off 46 balls, which came in the MLC 2025 final against Washington Freedom. Attacking early on, he brought up a blistering half-century in 31 balls. Alongside Monank Patel, he stitched together a 72-run opening stand and took MI New York to a respectable total.

Top Bowling Performances

1. Xavier BartlettXavier Bartlett made his MLC debut for San Francisco Unicorns under head coach Shane Watson and finished as the leading wicket-taker in his first season itself, taking 18 wickets in 11 innings at an average of 19.78. Xavier took a pair of four-wicket hauls in MLC 2025, including superb spells of 4/28 against Los Angeles Knight Riders and 4/32 against Washington Freedom.While he concluded the tournament as the leading wicket-taker, he also played one of the finest knocks with the bat against MI New York. Chasing 183 at the Oakland Coliseum, the Unicorns collapsed to a seemingly hopeless 108/6 in the 13th over. Walking out at No. 8, Bartlett smashed his maiden T20 half-century, finishing on a blazing 59 off just 25 balls.2. Haris RaufAlongside Xavier Bartlett, Haris Rauf dismantled batting line-ups for San Francisco Unicorns. Haris finished as the second-leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets in just eight innings at an average of 15.05. Rauf set the tone for the Unicorns right from the first match, picking up 3/30 against Washington Freedom.His best spell of MLC 2025 came against Los Angeles Knight Riders, where he took 4/41. Haris Rauf led the wicket-taking charts until the end of June before suffering a Grade 1 hamstring injury. The medical team ruled him out of the remaining fixtures. His absence hit SFU hard as they were knocked out by MI New York in the Eliminator by two wickets.3. Noor AhmadNoor Ahmad finished as the leading wicket-taker for Texas Super Kings, claiming 15 wickets in 11 innings at an average of 22.53. He was the standout spin bowler in MLC 2025. Coming off a strong IPL 2025 campaign in which he took 24 wickets, he carried that momentum into MLC for the same franchise.Noor Ahmad’s standout performance came against Los Angeles Knight Riders, where he delivered his best spell, claiming 4 wickets for just 22 runs. His best dismissal sequence came when he removed Andre Russell for just one run and then dismissed Sunil Narine on the very next ball.