Washington Freedom completed the highest successful run chase in Major League Cricket history, defeating MI New York by six wickets after overhauling a target of 267 with eight balls to spare in a record-breaking Eliminator at the Oakland Coliseum on Wednesday.

The match produced a tournament-record 536 runs, featured three centuries, and included the highest partnership in MLC history as Andries Gous blasted 132 off 51 balls and Steven Smith finished unbeaten on 110 from 48 deliveries to send Washington Freedom into the Challenger.

Earlier, Nicholas Pooran smashed the fastest century in MLC history, reaching three figures in just 30 balls before finishing with a breathtaking 106 off 33 deliveries, while Kieron Pollard hammered 64 off 25 to propel MI New York to 266 for 9, the highest total ever posted in an MLC playoff.
Andries Gous and Steven Smith forged a record-breaking 241-run partnership to power Washington Freedom to a historic six-wicket victory over MI New York. Photo by Shaun Roy / Sportzpics for MLC

After Washington Freedom elected to field, MI New York lost Monank Patel to a run out for 2 in the second over before Quinton de Kock launched an aggressive counterattack. The South African struck 51 off 24 balls, including two fours and six sixes, sharing in the early momentum before Mitchell Owen ended his innings with the score at 127 for 2 in the ninth over.

Pooran then took complete control. The left-hander tore into the Freedom attack, reaching his century in only 30 balls—setting a new MLC record—before eventually falling for 106 from 33 balls, an innings featuring five fours and 13 sixes. Pollard maintained the assault in the closing overs, smashing one four and eight sixes in his unbeaten 64 off 25, while Trent Boult added a valuable 22 from 10 balls to lift MI New York to an imposing 266 for 9.

Despite the onslaught, Rachin Ravindra delivered a crucial spell, returning 4 for 29 from four overs, while Ben Dwarshuis claimed 2 for 42.

Washington's chase appeared in trouble almost immediately. Shakib Al Hasan dismissed Mitchell Owen (1) and Rachin Ravindra (6) inside the opening three overs, reducing Freedom to 10 for 2 and leaving them with a daunting task.

What followed was one of the greatest batting displays in the tournament's history.

Gous and Smith launched a remarkable counterattack, combining controlled stroke play with relentless power to dismantle MI New York's bowling attack. Gous dominated with 132 off just 51 balls, striking 10 fours and 12 sixes to register the highest individual score in an MLC playoff. Smith matched him shot for shot, compiling his maiden MLC century with an unbeaten 110 from 48 balls, including seven fours and nine sixes.

Their 241-run partnership for the third wicket established a new MLC record and effectively settled the contest before Gous was dismissed at 251 for 3 in the 17th over. Nikhil Chaudhary and Glenn Maxwell completed the chase as Washington reached 270 for 4 in 18.4 overs, sealing victory with eight balls remaining.

Shakib finished with 2 for 34, while Rushil Ugarkar claimed the wicket of Gous, but MI New York's bowlers had no answer to the relentless assault.

The result sends Washington Freedom into the Challenger, where they will face the San Francisco Unicorns for a place in the MLC 2026 final. For MI New York, a record-setting batting performance led by Pooran and Pollard ultimately ended in disappointment after Freedom produced one of the most remarkable run chases in the tournament's history.