MLC 2025: Washington Freedom survive last-ball thriller to create league history; inch closer to playoffs
Jason Holder nearly pulled off a win for the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the MLC against Washington Freedom. (Sportzpics)
Washington Freedom secured a thrilling five-wicket victory over LA Knight Riders in Dallas, chasing down 214 runs on the final ball of the match to strengthen their playoff qualification hopes in MLC 2025.
Glenn Phillips
and Obus Pienaar guided Freedom to victory in dramatic fashion, with Holder dropping a crucial catch at mid-on off the last delivery that would have sealed the game for Knight Riders.
The Knight Riders posted a formidable total of 213/4 in their 20 overs, anchored by
Andre Fletcher
's explosive century. Fletcher, who replaced Alex Hales in the lineup, scored 104 runs off 60 balls, featuring seven fours and six sixes.
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Fletcher formed a commanding opening partnership with Unmukt Chand, who contributed 41 runs off 30 balls. The duo put on 130 runs in just 74 deliveries to set the foundation for a big score.
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The Knight Riders' innings maintained momentum with quick-fire contributions from Sherfane Rutherford (20 off 11), Jason Holder (11 off 6), and Andre Russell (30 not out off 13). The team collected 59 runs in the final five overs, with Fletcher being tactically retired out with two overs remaining.
Freedom's chase began explosively with Mitchell Owen taking charge. Owen scored 43 runs off just 16 balls, including multiple boundaries off Ali Khan and Holder, helping the team reach 73/1 in the powerplay.
The middle overs saw Glenn Maxwell (42 off 23) and Andreas Gous keeping Freedom ahead of the required rate. However, the Knight Riders fought back through Holder and Tanveer Sangha, who claimed crucial wickets to put pressure on the batting side.
Phillips and Pienaar came together with Freedom needing 60 runs from the final six overs. The pair managed the chase effectively, taking calculated risks and maintaining the required scoring rate.
Mitchell Owens scored a rapid 16-ball 43 runs at the top of the order for Washington Freedom against Los Angeles Knight Riders in the MLC. (Sportzpics)
The match went down to the final over with Freedom needing seven runs. Russell bowled exceptionally well, despite conceding a wide and a boundary early in the over, taking the game to the last ball.
The dramatic finish saw Holder unable to hold onto a catch at mid-on off the final delivery, allowing Phillips and Pienaar to scramble the winning run.
The victory moved Freedom to second place in the standings, ahead of Texas Super Kings.
"Andre Russell and Jason Holder lay in disbelief as Washington Freedom eked out a five-wicket win over the LA Knight Riders in a high-scoring, last-ball thriller in Dallas."
"Glenn Phillips and Obus Pienaar took Washington Freedom over the line."
"Fletcher was even retired out as a tactical move with 12 balls to spare, which Russell and Holder hit for 23 runs."
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"With one needed of one, Jason Holder brought all his fielders in to stop the single, but ended up dropping a catch that came his way at mid-on, that ballooned up off his hands. He couldn't hold onto it on second attempt after putting in a dive, as Glenn Phillips and Obus Pienaar took the match-winning single."
Brief Scores: LA Knight Riders 213/4 in 20 overs
(Andre Fletcher 104, Unmukt Chand 41; Ian Holland 2-25)
lost to Washington Freedom 214/5 in 20 overs
(Mitchell Owen 43, Glenn Maxwell 42, Glenn Phillips 33*; Tanveer Sangha 2-35)
by 5 wickets
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