Washington Freedom have created history as they completed the highest run-chase in T20s in the Major League Cricket (MLC 2026) Eliminator against MI New York. Steve Smith and co. chased down the 267-run target with 8 balls to spare to set up their clash in the Challenger against San Francisco Unicorns (SFU). The previous record for the highest run-chase was held by Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Freedom complete highest run-chase in T20s
The previous record for the highest run-chase in T20s was held by PBKS as they chased down the 262-run target set by KKR in IPL 2024. That record has now been broken as Washington Freedom chased down the 267-run target against MINY. Captain Steve Smith’s unbeaten 110-run knock off 48 deliveries (7 fours, 9 sixes) and Andries Gous’ 132-run knock (10 fours and 12 sixes) allowed WF to chase down the mammoth target with 8 balls to spare. The duo of Smith and Gous turned around the game for Freedom, who at one point found themselves at 10/2, with a 231-run partnership.
| Score | Team | Opposition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 270/4 | Washington Freedom | MI New York | July 16, 2026 |
| 262/2 | Punjab Kings | Kolkata Knight Riders | April 26, 2024 |
| 259/4 | South Africa | West Indies | March 26, 2023 |
| 254/3 | Middlesex | Surrey | June 22, 2023 |
| 247/2 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Punjab Kings | April 12, 2025 |
Earlier in the game, Nicholas Pooran slammed a 30-ball hundred (5 fours, 13 sixes) – the fastest in the history of MLC – and finished with 106 runs to his name as MINY batted first in the contest. Despite losing an early wicket, the Caribbean star steadied the ship along with Quinton de Kock (51), stitching together a 118-run stand in the 2nd wicket. Keiron Pollard’s whirlwind 64 off 25 balls allowed MINY to set a mammoth 267-run target. However, that wasn’t enough.
MINY dropped quite a few catches which gave enough lifelines for the Washington Freedom batters in the run-chase. A whooping 81 runs was scored between overs 13 and 15, as all seven bowlers used by MI were taken to the cleaners. As a result of this defeat, MI New York have been knocked out of the tournament.
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