Sunrisers Leeds delivered a commanding performance to hand the table-topping Manchester Super Giants their first defeat of the season, successfully chasing down a target of 181 with 12 balls to spare. The eight-wicket victory was fueled by aggressive batting from Mitchell Marsh, Zak Crawley, and Harry Brook, marking the Sunrisers' second consecutive win.
The Manchester Super Giants had initially set a formidable total of 181/3 in their 100 balls. After a steady start from Tim Seifert, who contributed 28 off 16, and Aiden Markram, who added 32 off 23, Jos Buttler and Heinrich Klaasen dominated the middle overs. The pair put together a 105-run partnership in just 47 balls. Buttler finished unbeaten on 63 off 33 deliveries, marking his 10th fifty, while Klaasen struck a 27-ball 53, including two sixes off Nathan Ellis, to help the Super Giants finish strong despite Ellis taking 2-32.
The Sunrisers' pursuit began slowly, managing only 34 runs during the Powerplay and losing Ryan Rickelton. However, Mitchell Marsh shifted the momentum, racing to a 20-ball fifty. His explosive 26-ball 63 included five sixes and six fours. Marsh and Zak Crawley shared a 92-run stand off 39 balls to stabilize the chase. Even after Sonny Baker dismissed Marsh with an effective yorker, the Sunrisers maintained their pace.
Zak Crawley, who finished unbeaten on 56 off 34 balls, accelerated his scoring by hitting two sixes off Liam Dawson and a hat-trick of fours against Noor Ahmad. Harry Brook provided the final flourish, remaining not out on 42 off just 17 balls. Brook’s innings featured six sixes and no fours, including three maximums off Dawson and decisive shots against Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, and Noor Ahmad. The partnership between Crawley and Brook added 68 runs in 30 balls to secure the win.
Sunrisers began the chase needing the third-highest successful pursuit in the men's Hundred.
The Australian T20I captain eventually let loose, hitting a flurry of sixes as he raced to a 20-ball fifty, collecting a total of five sixes along with six fours in his 26-ball knock.
