Oakland Coliseum witnesses record-breaking T20 run-chase in MLC eliminator
17.07.2026
The Major League Cricket (MLC) eliminator at the Oakland Coliseum saw Washington Freedom achieve the highest successful run chase in T20 history. The team successfully pursued MI New York’s total of 9-266, reaching 4-270 with eight balls remaining. This record-breaking match also marked the first time three batters scored centuries in a single men’s T20 game.
Steve Smith, the Australian star, led the charge for Washington Freedom with his fastest career century, scoring 110 runs from 48 balls. His innings included nine sixes. Smith’s century was completed in 40 balls, surpassing his previous best of a 41-ball ton for Sydney Sixers against the Thunder in January.
Historic Partnership and Individual Milestones
Smith formed a crucial partnership with local player Andries Gous, who scored 132 runs from 51 balls. Their third-wicket stand of 241 runs was the highest for that wicket in the T20 format and the second-highest for any wicket. This partnership was instrumental in resurrecting the chase after Washington Freedom had a shaky start, losing Mitch Owen for 1 run and Rachin Ravindra for 6 runs, leaving them at 2-10.
Andries Gous was named Player of the Match for his performance, which included 12 sixes and 10 fours. His century made him the first domestic player to score a century in the United States-based league. Both Gous and Smith reached their centuries in 40 balls.
Earlier in the match, Nicholas Pooran of MI New York also scored a century, hitting 106 runs from 31 balls. This was the fastest century in Major League Cricket history and the equal sixth fastest of all time in T20s. Pooran’s innings featured 13 sixes and five fours. His captain, Kieron Pollard, contributed 64 runs from 25 balls, hitting eight sixes and crossing 1,000 sixes in T20 cricket during his innings.
The combined efforts of Pooran and Pollard helped MI New York post what was then the competition’s second-highest total. The match saw a combined total of 536 runs scored in 38.4 overs, with both teams clearing the boundary a record 51 times. The average boundary size on the converted baseball field was approximately 65 meters.
Turning Points and Progression
Despite MI New York’s strong start, Rachin Ravindra’s bowling spell proved to be a turning point. Ravindra, an all-rounder, claimed 4 wickets for 28 runs, bowling in the 14th, 16th, 18th, and 20th overs. His spell slowed MI New York’s scoring, preventing them from achieving an even larger total and finishing their innings at 266 for 9.
Washington Freedom’s chase, after the early wickets taken by Shakib Al Hasan, was dominated by the partnership between Gous and Smith. Glenn Maxwell hit the winning runs with a swept six in the penultimate over, securing the victory for Washington Freedom. This successful chase surpassed Punjab Kings’ 265 runs from earlier in the year as the highest successful chase in all men’s T20 cricket.
The result means that Washington Freedom, the 2024 MLC champions, will now advance to the Challenger final. They are scheduled to face San Francisco Unicorns in this next stage. The winner of that match will then proceed to the final, where they will compete against Los Angeles Knight Riders on Saturday night in Oakland.
Earlier in the day, San Francisco captain Matt Short scored 94 not out from 62 balls in the Qualifier, but his side fell seven runs short of LA’s total of 3-187.
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Source: cricket.com.au
Ishaan Kapoor
Sports correspondent covering cricket, football and international competitions.