Ben Duckett and Rashid Khan Shine as Trent Rockets and MI London Secure Crucial Hundred Wins

NOTTINGHAM / LONDON — Ben Duckett continued his outstanding form with another match-winning half-century as Trent Rockets edged SunRisers Leeds by five runs to remain top of The Hundred table, while Rashid Khan claimed a sensational five-wicket haul to inspire MI London to a commanding 45-run victory over Manchester Super Giants.

At Trent Bridge, the Rockets chose to bat first and made an explosive start thanks to Aneurin Donald, who was playing his first match of the tournament. The aggressive right-hander blasted 40 from just 19 balls, including three sixes, allowing Duckett to settle into his innings before taking control. After Donald’s dismissal, Duckett accelerated superbly, reaching his third fifty of the campaign from only 35 balls. His innings of 64 from 47 deliveries also saw him overtake Phil Salt to become the leading run-scorer in this year’s men’s competition. A brisk partnership with Tim David helped the Rockets finish on a competitive 146-4.

SunRisers Leeds responded positively, with Mitchell Marsh and Zak Crawley putting together a strong powerplay partnership. Crawley made 26 before being dismissed by Mitchell Santner, while Harry Brook looked dangerous during a rapid 46. With 30 runs required from the final 16 balls, the chase appeared finely balanced, but Mohammad Amir produced the decisive breakthrough by removing Brook with a stunning catch from Duckett at extra cover. Amir then dismissed Marsh for 41, and disciplined bowling from Matt Henry and Lewis Gregory ensured the Rockets successfully defended their total to stay at the top of the standings.

Speaking after the match, Duckett praised his team’s collective performance and highlighted the importance of Donald’s aggressive start. “Aneurin took a lot of pressure off me and got us off to a great start,” he said. “I just tried to trust my game and keep finding ways to score, and thankfully it worked today.” The England batter has been one of the standout performers of the tournament and continues to drive the Rockets’ title challenge.

At the Kia Oval, MI London produced an even more dominant display. Will Jacks launched the innings with a brutal 62 from 31 balls, while Nicholas Pooran smashed 54 from 28 as the home side posted a tournament-best 183-6. Jacks reached his half-century in only 28 deliveries and repeatedly cleared the boundary, while Pooran maintained the momentum with a flurry of sixes that left Manchester Super Giants facing a daunting target.

The visitors began brightly through Aiden Markram, who blasted 50 from 25 balls, but Rashid Khan then took control of the match. The Afghan leg-spinner dismissed Tim Seifert and Jos Buttler in quick succession before removing Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Tom Moores and Liam Dawson to finish with extraordinary figures of 5-17. It was the first five-wicket haul of his Hundred career and one of the finest bowling performances of the season. Manchester Super Giants were eventually bowled out for 138, leaving MI London with a comfortable 45-run victory.

Rashid admitted that the performance was especially satisfying after a relatively quiet start to the tournament. “I needed those wickets,” he said. “I just tried to keep things simple, hit the right areas consistently and make it as difficult as possible for the batters.” The result lifts MI London to second place in the table, while Trent Rockets remain firmly on top as the race for the playoffs intensifies with the finals scheduled for August 16.