Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 16: Steve Smith-led Washington Freedom created T20 history on Wednesday by completing the highest successful run chase in the format, overhauling a daunting target of 267 against MI New York in the Eliminator of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 season.
Chasing 267, Washington suffered an early setback after slipping to 10/2 in the third over. However, Andries Gous and captain Steve Smith staged a remarkable recovery, adding 241 runs for the third wicket in just 89 deliveries to put their team on course for a memorable victory.
Both Gous and Smith slammed brilliant centuries before Glenn Maxwell finished the chase with a six, knocking the defending champions MI New York out of the tournament.
Earlier, MI New York had posted a massive total, courtesy of Nicholas Pooran's explosive 31-ball century, followed by a late assault from Kieron Pollard.
Washington's successful chase surpassed the previous T20 record held by Punjab Kings, who had chased down 265 against Delhi Capitals during the IPL 2026 season. That effort had eclipsed Punjab Kings' own famous record chase against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024.
The match also saw another record tumble as Smith and Gous' 241-run partnership became the highest third-wicket stand in T20 cricket, surpassing the previous record of 213 shared by Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav for Mumbai against Sikkim in 2019.
With the victory, Washington Freedom advanced to the second Eliminator, where they will face the San Francisco Unicorns. The winner will take on the LA Knight Riders in the MLC 2026 final.