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MI New York clinch MLC 2025 title with thrilling victory over Washington Freedom

DALLAS: Rushil Ugarkar held his nerve in a tense final over to help MI New York script a stunning turnaround and lift their second Major League Cricket (MLC) title with a thrilling win over defending champions Washington Freedom at Grand Prairie Stadium on Sunday.

After losing seven of their ten league matches, MI New York’s path to the title looked improbable.

But the Nicholas Pooran-led side staged a remarkable resurgence, defeating San Francisco Unicorns in the Eliminator and Texas Super Kings in Qualifier 2 to storm into the final, where they edged past Washington Freedom in a dramatic last-over finish.

Put into bat first, MI New York’s openers provided a flying start. Monank Patel and Quinton de Kock raced to 72 in just seven overs before Lockie Ferguson struck to remove Patel for a steady 28 off 22.

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While wickets continued to fall at regular intervals from one end, de Kock remained relentless at the other, bringing up a blistering 77 off 46 balls laced with 10 boundaries and 4 sixes.

Ferguson returned in the 17th over to deliver a double blow, dismissing de Kock and Kieron Pollard in the space of two deliveries.

The innings seemed to be losing momentum before Kunwarjeet Singh Ballagan’s late cameo of 22 powered MI New York to a competitive 180-7.

Ferguson was the pick of the bowlers for Washington Freedom with 3-21, while Netravalkar, Maxwell, Jack Edwards, and Ian Holland chipped in with a wicket each.

In response, Washington Freedom endured a horror start. Trent Boult struck twice in the first over to remove Mitch Owen and Andries Gous for ducks, leaving the defending champions reeling at 0-2.

Rachin Ravindra and Jack Edwards rebuilt the innings with a crucial 84-run stand for the third wicket.

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Edwards contributed 33 off 24 before being dismissed by Nosthush Kenjige in the ninth over.

Ravindra, however, looked in sublime touch, anchoring the chase with a fluent 70 off 41 deliveries, including eight fours and two sixes.

He was joined by fellow Kiwi Glenn Phillips, and the duo kept Washington in the hunt before Ugarkar struck a vital blow in the 16th over, removing Ravindra and shifting the momentum back to MI New York.

Despite having big hitters like Phillips and skipper Glenn Maxwell at the crease, MI New York’s bowlers tightened the screws.

With 12 needed off the final over, Ugarkar delivered a masterclass in death bowling, dismissing Maxwell for an uncharacteristic 15 off 16 and conceding just six runs to seal a famous win.

Phillips remained unbeaten on 48, but it wasn’t enough as MI New York held their nerve in crunch moments to seal a second MLC title in three seasons.

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Washington Freedom storm into MLC 2025 final after rain washes out Qualifier 1

DALLAS: Defending champions Washington Freedom have secured a spot in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 final after persistent rain forced the abandonment of Qualifier 1 against Texas Super Kings at Grand Prairie Stadium on Tuesday.

Only the toss was possible on the night, with Washington winning it and electing to bowl first.

Washington made one change to their XI, bringing in Lockie Ferguson in place of Mark Chapman. Texas Super Kings opted for an unchanged lineup from their last outing.

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However, just minutes before the scheduled 7:00 pm start, a lightning advisory was issued, and the pitch was covered.

While the storm eventually passed, heavy rain followed and showed no signs of letting up.

Match officials waited for nearly three hours before officially calling off the game at 9:45 pm local time, 41 minutes before the cut-off time for a five-over contest.

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With no reserve day scheduled for the fixture, Washington Freedom progressed to the final based on their top finish in the league-stage standings.

This will be their second straight appearance in the MLC final.

The Super Kings will now face the winner of the Eliminator, between MI New York and San Francisco Unicorns, in Qualifier 2, which is set to be played on Thursday.

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MLC 2025: Washington Freedom crush Seattle Orcas as playoff race heats up

LAUDERHILL: Washington Freedom produced a ruthless all-round display to hammer Seattle Orcas by eight wickets in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, giving their playoff hopes a major boost and delivering a heavy blow to a resurgent Orcas unit on Friday.

Washington Freedom’s bowlers were on fire from the first ball after winning the toss and opting to bowl, ripping through a batting lineup that had come in riding high on a three-match winning streak.

Seattle Orcas were bundled out for just 82 in 17.4 overs, a collapse that not only hurt their momentum but also dented their net run rate ahead of the business end of the tournament.

Saurabh Netravalkar struck with the very first delivery of the match, removing Shayan Jahangir, and the carnage only intensified.

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Glenn Maxwell picked up three key wickets in the powerplay, including Steven Taylor (1) and Kyle Mayers (1), as the Orcas slumped to 21/5 after six overs.

Netravalkar finished with 3 for 13, while Maxwell returned brilliant figures of 3 for 12 in his four overs.

Jack Edwards also joined the party with a 3-wicket haul, cleaning up the tail and dismissing the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen, who was the only one to show any fight with a gritty 48 off 39 balls.

Chasing a modest 83, Washington never looked under pressure. Even after losing Mitchell Owen (6) early, Rachin Ravindra and Mukhtar Ahmed put together a fluent 42-run stand to keep things steady.

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Ravindra made 32 off 23 before falling, but Mukhtar finished the job in style, staying unbeaten on 36 off 21 balls as Freedom wrapped up the chase in just 9.2 overs.

With this win, Washington Freedom jumped to second on the MLC 2025 points table, giving themselves a strong chance of finishing in the top two and earning a playoff advantage.

For the Seattle Orcas, despite the heavy defeat, the earlier three-game winning run keeps them alive in the playoff race as they sit in fourth place after nine games.

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Fletcher’s century in vain as Washington Freedom edge LA Knight Riders in last-ball thriller

DALLAS: Andre Fletcher’s explosive century went in vain as Washington Freedom pulled off a dramatic final-ball victory over Los Angeles Knight Riders in the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 at the Grand Prairie Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing a daunting 214-run target, Freedom sealed the win off the final delivery, registering the second-highest successful run chase in MLC history.

The victory not only brought them within touching distance of playoff qualification but also helped them leapfrog Texas Super Kings to claim the second spot on the points table.

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Earlier, the Los Angeles Knight Riders piled up 213-4 after being asked to bat first.

Fletcher led the charge with a sensational 104 off just 60 balls, anchoring the innings with authority. Despite the onslaught, Washington Freedom bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs throughout the innings.

In reply, Freedom got off to a flying start, courtesy of Mitchell Owen’s 43 and Andries Gous’ 31, laying the foundation for a competitive chase.

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Skipper Glenn Maxwell kept the momentum going with a brisk 42 before falling short of a half-century.

The decisive blow came through the unbeaten partnership between Glenn Phillips (33*) and Obus Pienaar (23*), who stitched together a crucial 59-run stand to take their side home in a nail-biting finish.

With this result, Washington Freedom continue their strong campaign in MLC 2025, while Knight Riders remain in search of consistency despite individual brilliance.

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Owen, Gous fire Washington Freedom to fourth straight win in MLC 2025

DALLAS: Mitchell Owen and Andries Gous smashed fiery half-centuries to power Washington Freedom to a dominant victory over Texas Super Kings in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 at Grand Prairie Stadium on Sunday.

The Freedom registered their fourth consecutive win in the MLC 2025, as they chased down a daunting 221-run target.

The win lifted Freedom to second place on the points table, continuing their impressive run in the tournament.

Chasing a mammoth total, Owen and Rachin Ravindra set the tone early, hammering five boundaries inside the first eight deliveries.

Ravindra departed during the powerplay, but Owen made Texas pay—twice dropped on 20 and 42, before finally falling for a match-defining 89 off 48 balls, laced with five sixes and eight fours.

Despite a sluggish phase where Freedom managed just 72 by the end of the eighth over, Owen capitalised on the lifelines, smashing Marcus Stoinis for back-to-back sixes and triggering a momentum shift.

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The real assault came in the 12th and 13th overs as Noor Ahmad was clobbered for 22, followed by Gous tearing into Donovan Ferreira for 24 runs.

Owen’s dismissal briefly tilted the balance, but Gous (unbeaten on 80 off 37*) and Glenn Maxwell held their nerve at the death.

With five required in the final over, Glenn Phillips sealed the deal with a boundary off the fourth ball.

Earlier, Faf du Plessis continued his red-hot form with a blistering 69 off 31, leading Super Kings to 220-6.

He added 55 in just five overs with Smit Patel and got late support from Calvin Savage and Shubham Ranjane, who smashed 36 off the final 14 balls.

But a slowdown in the middle, especially against Maxwell (2-35), meant TSK couldn’t quite finish as strongly as they’d hoped.

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Owen was equally effective with the ball, bagging three wickets to round off a stellar all-round show.

In the earlier fixture, Los Angeles Knight Riders picked up their first win of the MLC 2025, defeating Seattle Orcas in a bottom-of-the-table clash.

Bowling first, Andre Russell turned back the clock with a brilliant spell, finishing with 3-31 to restrict Orcas to 177-6.

In reply, Unmukt Chand anchored the chase with a classy 86 off 52*, guiding the Knight Riders home with six wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare.

He was ably supported by Saif Badar, who chipped in with a valuable 54 off 32 to snap the Knight Riders’ losing streak.

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MLC 2025: All-round Owen powers Washington Freedom to victory over MI New York

DALLAS: Mitchell Owen’s brisk 60 and Mark Chapman’s unbeaten 45 knock guided Washington Freedom to a two-wicket win over MI New York in the MLC 2025 here at the Grand Prairie Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a challenging 189-run target, Washington Freedom hit the winning runs on the second ball of the penultimate over with two wickets in hand. The victory marked their third consecutive win in the tournament.

Mitchell Owen and Rachin Ravindra provided Freedom a rollicking start, scoring 45 runs in just 2.5 overs. However, MI New York got a sigh of relief with Latters’ wicket as the left-handed batter departed for 10 runs.

Owen, meanwhile, paired with incoming Andries Gous and kept the impetus with brisk scoring. Gous, who scored 14 off 10 deliveries, departed on the final ball of the powerplay as the Washington Freedom scorecard read 74-2.

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Soon after, Mitchell Owen, who was well set, followed him as MI New York reduced Washington Freedom to 91-3 in 7.2 overs. Owen’s brisk 60 off 26 balls was laced with five boundaries and five sixes.

However, Mark Chapman and Jack Edwards formed a match-defining 41-run stand on the fourth wicket. The duo batted calmly, bringing the score to 132 in 13.1 overs.

Edwards was removed after scoring 30 off 23 balls with four boundaries. Nonetheless, Chapman held firm despite late hiccups created by MI New York bowlers as Washington sealed a win in the end.

Despite losing three wickets for 20 runs in the last few overs, Chapman, who remained unbeaten, 45*, featuring three fours and a six, guided his team to an emphatic victory.

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For MI New York, Naveen-ul-Haq, Trent Boult, and Sunny Patel bagged two wickets each.

Earlier, after being put into bat, MI New York posted 188 runs total for the loss of four wickets in their allocated 20 overs.

The openers, Monank Patel and Quinton de Kock, provided a solid opening start with a 70-run stand at the end of the powerplay. De Kock, who was the core aggressor, top-scored with 55 off 34 deliveries, hitting two sixes and seven fours.

Meanwhile, Michael Bracewell’s quick-fire 42* off 24 balls ensured that MI New York reached a strong total.

For Washington Freedom, Glenn Maxwell, Ian Holland Mithell Owen picked up a wicket each.

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Maxwell’s ton powers Washington Freedom to thumping win over LA Knight Riders

OAKLAND: Glenn Maxwell turned back the clock with a vintage T20 masterclass, hammering an unbeaten 106 off just 49 deliveries to lead Washington Freedom to a commanding 113-run win over Los Angeles Knight Riders in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 on Tuesday.

Playing at the Oakland Coliseum, Maxwell, captaining Washington, walked in under pressure at 68-4 and with the team teetering at 92-5 by the 12th over.

But what followed was a typical Maxwell masterclass as he tore apart the LA Knight Riders’ bowling attack with 13 towering sixes and two boundaries in a brutal exhibition of power-hitting.

The Aussie all-rounder, who took his time early on (9 off 12), launched into overdrive with a hat-trick of sixes off fellow countryman Tanveer Sangha.

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He followed that up with twin maximums off Corne Dry and then dispatched Sunil Narine thrice over the ropes to bring up a 29-ball fifty.

Glenn Maxwell didn’t hit a single four until after his 10th six, which came off Andre Russell in the penultimate over.

He brought up his eighth T20 ton in the final over with three more massive sixes off Jason Holder, powering Washington to 208-5. His 97-run blitz in a 116-run sixth-wicket stand with Obus Pienaar (14*) changed the complexion of the game.

In reply, LA Knight Riders crumbled under scoreboard pressure. Chasing 209, they were blown away for just 95 in 16.3 overs, their third straight defeat of the tournament.

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The collapse began early, with both openers dismissed for ducks and Unmukt Chand following soon after.

At 10-3, the writing was on the wall. Saif Badar (32 off 31) and Jason Holder (23 off 16) showed some resistance, but no one else got going against a disciplined Washington attack.

Jack Edwards and Mitchell Owen claimed three wickets apiece, while Saurabh Netravalkar finished with 2 for 6 in a miserly spell.

With this resounding win, Washington Freedom climbed to third on the MLC 2025 points table, while LA Knight Riders remain winless after three games, stuck at number five.

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MLC 2025: Maxwell, Holland seal first win for Washington Freedom

OAKLAND: Ian Holland’s impressive four-wicket haul, coupled with Glenn Maxwell’s return to form secured an emphatic win for Washington Freedom against Seattle Orcas in the third match of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 at the Oakland Coliseum here on Sunday.

The defending champions, Washington Freedom, bounced back, chasing a meagre 146-run target in only 13.3 overs on the loss of five wickets.

The openers provided Freedom a rollicking start, with Mitchell Owen and Raching Ravindra smashing 49 runs in only three overs.

Cameron Gannon finally broke the rapid stand with Owen’s wicket, who departed after scoring 25 off 11 balls with the aid of two sixes and a boundary.

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The Washington Freedom dominated the match, ending the power play with a score of 90. Meanwhile, Seattle Orcas tried to make a comeback with wickets of Andries Gous and well-set Ravindra’s wickets in successive overs.

Gous was the first to go, clean bowled by Waqar Salamkheil after scoring 16, while Obed McCoy ended Ravindra’s brisk innings of 44. The left-hander smashed four sixes and four boundaries in his 18-ball knock.

With Washington Freedom being reduced to 92-3 in 7.2 overs, skipper Glenn Maxwell arrived at the crease. He shared a brief 29-run partnership with Glenn Phillips, bringing the score to 121 at the halfway stage of the innings.

The wickets of Glenn Philips (3) and Jack Edwards (6) in back-to-back overs did not halt the defending champions’ momentum as they hit the winning runs comfortably in 13.3 overs.

Maxwell remained unbeaten on the score of 38*, hitting three fours and three sixes.

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For Seattle Orcas, Waqar Salamkheil bagged two wickets while Cameron Gannon, Obed McCoy and Harmeet Singh took one wicket each.

Earlier, Seattle Orcas, after electing to bat first, managed to score 145-9 in their allocated 20 overs.

David Warner remained the top scorer, scoring 31 off 17 balls, striking four boundaries and a six.

For Washington Freedom, the Player of the Match, Ian Holland, starred with the ball, taking four wickets in his quota of four overs.

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Finn Allen rewrites T20 record books with blistering 151 in MLC 2025 opener

OAKLAND: New Zealand’s Finn Allen set Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 alight with a jaw-dropping 151-run knock for San Francisco Unicorns, shattering multiple records during the opening match of the tournament opener on Thursday.

Opening the innings against Washington Freedom, Allen went on an all-out assault, powering the Unicorns to a mammoth 269 for 5.

This score is the highest in MLC history and marks the first time a team has surpassed the 250-run mark in a T20 match played in the United States.

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In response, Washington Freedom folded for a mere 146, handing Unicorns a thumping 123-run win.

Moreover, the Kiwi opener smashed 19 sixes in his innings, setting a new world record for most sixes in a T20 innings. The previous best was 18, jointly held by Chris Gayle (in BPL 2017) and Sahil Chauhan (against Cyprus in 2024).

Finn Allen reached his 150 in just 49 balls, surpassing Dewald Brevis’ record of 52 balls for the fastest 150 in T20s.

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His eventual 151 is now the highest individual score in MLC history, eclipsing Nicholas Pooran’s unbeaten 137 in the 2023 edition’s final, which, notably, came before the league was granted official T20 status.

He brought up his hundred in 34 balls, making it the second-fastest century in a franchise T20 league, only behind Chris Gayle’s 30-ball ton for RCB in IPL 2013. It also went past Pooran’s 40-ball century in the 2023 MLC final.

In total, Allen scored 134 runs in boundaries, including 114 via sixes alone, a boundary dominance bettered by only three other players in T20 history.

READ: MLC 2025: Finn Allen’s 151 powers San Francisco Unicorns to victory

MLC 2025: Finn Allen’s 151 powers San Francisco Unicorns to victory

OAKLAND: Finn Allen played a fiery 151-run knock to power San Francisco Unicorns to a thumping victory over Washington Freedom in the opening match of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 at the Oakland Coliseum here on Thursday.

Washington Freedom skipper Glenn Maxwell invited the Unicorns to bat first after the coin flipped in his favour.

Jack Edwards provided the first breakthrough to defending champions as he dismissed Tim Seifert (18) in the third over.

Jake Fraser-McGurk (6) came out to bat and was involved in a one-sided 37-run stand with Allen before falling prey to Saurabh Netravalkar.

Allen was joined by Sanjay Krishnamurthi, and together they turned the game on its head, smashing 88 runs off 37 balls for the third-wicket partnership.

Krishnamurthi played a 36-run knock from 20 balls with the help of 1 four and four consecutive sixes against Rachin Ravindra. He was removed by Ian Holland in the 12th over with 153 runs on the board.

Allen maintained his aggressive approach and scored his century in just 34 balls, making it the fastest century in MLC history.

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He didn’t stop there; he also reached 150 runs in 49 balls, hitting his 19th six of the innings. This achievement set a new record for the most sixes in a single innings.

Mitchell Owen finally ended Allen’s fiery knock, getting him out on 151 on the first ball of the 18th over.

Hassan Khan then played a quick-fire cameo of 38*, laced with three fours and three sixes, to take the team’s total to 269-5 in their allocated 20 overs.

Washington Freedom’s bowling card was topped by Jack Edwards, who returned with figures of 2-39, while Netravalkar, Owen and Holland chipped in with one wicket each.

While chasing a mammoth target, Mitchell Owen and Rachin Ravindra put together an impressive 80-run opening partnership off just 32 balls, setting the stage for an exciting match.

Unfortunately, both batters were dismissed in consecutive overs, causing the Freedom to lose momentum in their run chase.

Liam Plunkett dismissed the dangerous Ravindra in the sixth over; Ravindra scored 42 runs off 17 balls, hitting two fours and five sixes.

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In the following over, Owen, who contributed 39 runs from 20 balls, was run out, leaving the team struggling at 97-2 in 6.4 overs.

Washington Freedom failed to recover from this, losing six wickets in three overs and falling to 117 for 8 in just 9.5 overs.

Haris Rauf took two crucial wickets in the eighth over, dismissing Glenn Maxwell for 5 runs and Glenn Phillips for a duck, which worsened Freedom’s situation.

In the following over, Hassan Khan then continued the onslaught by getting rid of Andries Gous for 2 runs and Jack Edwards for 21 runs in the next over.

Meanwhile, Carmi le Roux claimed the wickets of Obus Pienaar (2) and Mukhtar Ahmed (1) to further dent any chances of recovery.

Rauf and Khan added one wicket each to their tally as they bundled Washington Freedom for a meagre 146, handing a 123-run victory to San Francisco Unicorns.

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