Oakland, CA (June 27, 2026): Nikhil Chaudhary blasted a last-ball six as Washington Freedom pulled off one of the most dramatic victories in Major League Cricket history, edging Texas Super Kings by one wicket in a thrilling chase of 186 at the Oakland Coliseum.

The match appeared destined for a Super Over after Akeal Hosein produced MLC's first-ever hat-trick in a sensational final over, reducing Freedom from 180/6 to 180/9. But with six runs required off the final delivery, Chaudhary, who had watched the previous four wickets fall from the non-striker's end, launched Hosein over midwicket to seal an unforgettable victory.
Nikhil Chaudhary sealed a stunning Washington Freedom victory with a match-winning six off the final ball against Texas Super Kings.

Earlier, Mitchell Owen had laid the platform for the chase with a blistering 77 from just 35 deliveries, smashing seven fours and six sixes. He shared a 91-run opening partnership with captain Steven Smith, who contributed 30 from 21 balls, putting Freedom firmly in control before Texas staged a remarkable comeback.

The turning point came when Smith fell to Wiaan Mulder and Owen was caught in the deep off Abhimanyu Lamba. With Andries Gous also dismissed cheaply, wickets tumbled as the Super Kings clawed their way back into the contest. Hosein then produced a stunning final over, dismissing Marco Jansen, Amila Aponso and Asif Mehmood with successive deliveries to complete a historic hat-trick and leave Freedom needing six from the final ball.

Chaudhary, unbeaten on 27 from 19 balls, ensured Hosein's remarkable effort ended in heartbreak for Texas with a towering match-winning six.

Earlier, Texas Super Kings recovered from a sluggish start after being sent in to bat. Captain Faf du Plessis departed for just eight before Saiteja Mukkamalla (37) and Rilee Rossouw (34) rebuilt the innings. At 110/4 after 15 overs, the Super Kings were in danger of posting an underwhelming total.


Wiaan Mulder and Donovan Ferreira transformed the innings with a blistering, unbroken 75-run partnership off the final five overs. Mulder finished unbeaten on 43 from 20 balls, while Ferreira hammered 44 not out from 20 deliveries, including three sixes in the 18th over, as Texas surged to 185/4. Chaudhary was Washington's most successful bowler with 2/29.

The contest delivered everything cricket fans could ask forβ€”a late-innings batting assault, a breathtaking chase, the league's first hat-trick and a last-ball six that capped one of the greatest finishes in MLC history.

Brief Scores: Texas Super Kings 185/4 in 20 overs (Wiaan Mulder 43*, Donovan Ferreira 44*, Saiteja Mukkamalla 37; Nikhil Chaudhary 2/29) lost to Washington Freedom 187/9 in 20 overs (Mitchell Owen 77, Steven Smith 30, Nikhil Chaudhary 27*; Akeal Hosein 4/36, Adam Milne 2/31) by one wicket.