Washington Freedom etched their name into T20 cricket history after registering the highest successful run chase in Eliminator 1 of the 2026 Major League Cricket season. The team from the capital city chased down 267 against MI New York with eight balls to spare, beating the record previously set by the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
MI New York had an excellent time with the bat in the first innings, scoring 266 thanks to Nicholas Pooran's 33-ball 106, striking at 321.21 with 13 sixes next to his name.
In what looked like a winning total in most T20 matches, Washington Freedom had other ideas. They got off to a poor start, losing two wickets for just 10 runs inside the first six overs. However, both captain Steve Smith and Andries Gous changed the course of the match.
Gous and Smith both registered hundreds, scoring 132 and 110 not out, respectively. The United States international was the one to revitalise the run-chase, striking at 258.82 and hitting 10 fours and 12 sixes along the way. Smith, on the other hand, hit his maiden MLC century and stayed till the end, remaining unbeaten on 110.
Both Gous and Smith registered a third-wicket partnership worth 241 runs from just 89 balls to bring the Freedom back from the jaws of defeat and achieve the highest run chase in the shortest format of the game.
Washington Freedom surpassed the record previously set by the PBKS in the 2026 IPL season. The two-time finalists chased down 265 runs against the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium with seven balls to spare.
It is worth mentioning that the game between Washington Freedom and MI New York also saw a combined 51 sixes hit, which also happens to be a record in a single T20 match.
The 2024 champions will now take on the San Francisco Unicorns in Eliminator 2 for a chance to face Los Angeles Knight Riders in the MLC 2026 final on Saturday, July 18.
Steve Smith, Washington Freedom captain:
"From ball one, he (Andries Gous) just came out and felt like he didn't miss the middle of the bat the whole night. And everything just kept flying over the rope. Had the best seat in the house up there. And yeah, it was a wonderful win. Obviously, 260, chasing that down. A lot's got to go right. We obviously got off to a little bit of a shaky start. And then the ball just started to hit the middle of both of our bats. And, yeah, fortunately, they kept going over the rope. And we gave ourselves a chance at the back end and tried to keep the rate around 14, knowing two good hits an over, and you're on the right path. So, worked out nicely. [On the message to the team during the innings break] No, you just got to trust the boys and go out and play. There wasn't much said. It was just go out and play the game, and a lot's got to go right, as I said. And fortunately, we were able to hit the middle of the bat enough tonight. I think it was a record for the amount of sixes in a game of cricket. So, yeah, balls flying everywhere. Got a little bit wet at the back end, so there was a little bit of dew, and it started to skid on a bit more. It was a good chase. [How will you remember this night?] It was pretty special. It was a great partnership, obviously. And to chase down 260 any time, that's a special achievement. So, we'll soak it up tonight, come back tomorrow for another big game, and hopefully put on another show."
Andries Gous, Player of the Match:
"It's just the belief we have in each other, Ricky and Hopsey and everybody. In sports, the belief that they have in me and this whole team, it's just really special. [Did the 96 in the previous game serve as added motivation to get these runs tonight?] 100%, on a personal note, I would have loved to be the first guy to get a 100 from USA. And then chasing 260 is always special if you can get that done. So yeah, it's just an unbelievable game, I think, for everyone out here. [When did you actually believe you could win this?] By over 7 or 8, the rate just kept staying at 14, and the wicket just started skidding on a little bit. And I said to Smudge, 'we might be in,' and he's just like, 'we're definitely in it, yeah.' So yeah, very happy with that."
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