GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas, July 12, 2026 β€” Washington Freedom completed their Major League Cricket 2026 league-stage campaign with a five-wicket victory over MI New York at Grand Prairie, chasing 188 with nine balls to spare behind a blistering partnership led by Rachin Ravindra and Andries Gous.

Although Nicholas Pooran's explosive 86 off 44 balls lifted MI New York to a competitive 187 for 8, Freedom's batting depth proved decisive. Ravindra struck a rapid 60 from just 30 deliveries before Gous carried the chase with a superb 96 off 54 balls, finishing just four runs shy of his maiden MLC century as Freedom reached 190 for 5 in 18.3 overs.
Andries Gous hit a match-winning 96 off 54 balls as Washington Freedom chased 188 to defeat MI New York by five wickets. Photo by Shaun Roy / Sportzpics for MLC

After electing to bowl, Washington Freedom made early inroads as Quinton de Kock departed for 2 and Monank Patel for 17 inside the opening five overs. Pooran then transformed the innings with one of the standout knocks of the tournament, combining power and timing to strike four boundaries and eight sixes.

He shared a crucial 90-run third-wicket partnership with Kunwarjeet Singh, who contributed 26 from 20 balls, stabilizing MI New York after the early setbacks. Pooran appeared set for a century before Saurabh Netravalkar trapped him lbw for 86 in the 16th over with the score on 150 for 4, providing Freedom with a timely breakthrough.

The closing overs yielded only modest returns despite brief contributions from Shakib Al Hasan, who made 18 off 13 balls with one six, and Trent Boult, who remained unbeaten on 6. Kieron Pollard and Romario Shepherd both fell cheaply as Freedom's bowlers finished strongly. Netravalkar and Ben Dwarshuis claimed two wickets apiece, while Ravindra produced an economical late over to finish with remarkable figures of 2 for 6. Glenn Maxwell also chipped in with 1 for 35.

Freedom's pursuit suffered an uneasy start as Mitchell Owen (7) and Steven Smith (3) were dismissed inside the first three overs, leaving the innings wobbling at 13 for 2.

Ravindra immediately shifted the momentum with an aggressive counterattack, striking five fours and two sixes in a sparkling 60 from only 30 deliveries. His innings quickly brought the required rate under control and laid the platform for the chase before Rushil Ugarkar removed him at 129 for 3 in the 14th over.
While Ravindra supplied the early acceleration, Gous paced his innings expertly before launching a decisive assault in the closing overs. The wicketkeeper-batter struck four fours and eight sixes in a commanding 96 from 54 deliveries, repeatedly finding the boundary as Freedom closed in on the target.

Gous looked destined for a maiden MLC century before Ehsan Adil dismissed him for 96 with just 12 runs still required. Glenn Maxwell then ensured there would be no late drama, finishing unbeaten on 12 from five balls alongside Nikhil Chaudhary (3 not out) as Freedom crossed the line with five wickets in hand.

The contest featured outstanding innings from both Pooran and Gous, but Washington Freedom's greater batting depth ultimately proved the difference. With both teams already assured of playoff qualification, the result strengthens Freedom's push for second place in the league standings heading into the knockout stage, while MI New York will look to regroup before the playoffs.

Brief scores: MI New York 187/8 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 86, Kunwarjeet Singh 26, Shakib Al Hasan 18; Saurabh Netravalkar 2/29, Ben Dwarshuis 2/29, Rachin Ravindra 2/6) lost to Washington Freedom 190/5 in 18.3 overs (Andries Gous 96, Rachin Ravindra 60; Trent Boult 2/33, Shakib Al Hasan 1/24, Rushil Ugarkar 1/38) by five wickets.