END OF OVER:
20 | 7 Runs | WSF: 214/5 | RR: 10.70

  • Glenn Phillips33 (23b)
  • Obus Pienaar23 (16b)
  • Andre Russell4-0-48-0
  • Ali Khan4-0-47-1

That concludes the MLC's action for today. Thank you for tuning in. This is Rashad Mahbub signing off on behalf of M Venkat Raghav and the rest of the ESPNcricinfo crew. Goodnight.

Glenn Maxwell: "I thought we scratched really hard with the ball. I thought they got off to a brilliant start. They put us under a lot of pressure, and Spiceman batted beautifully, got himself 100 and then walked off. And we were able to shut them down quite well at the back end, it looked like they were going to get away from us. To keep them to a total that we felt was a little bit under par on this wicket, and with that short boundary as well, we backed ourselves to chase it. And it probably wasn't the most clinical chase that we've had. It felt like we got into positions where we could probably end the game a little bit earlier, and then we'd lose a wicket and allow them back into the game. But it's nice to see there was a full team effort to get the job done. [Holland] Yeah, he was outstanding. He's been outstanding the whole way through to be that guy that we can throw the ball to and to change it up and change the momentum of the game. And he's done it really consistently throughout this tournament. He's getting his opportunity, and he's making the most of it. So couldn't be happier for him. [Phillips and Pienaar] Obviously, we might go for a few more runs, but I think to back in our all rounders and our long batting line up to get the job done works on a night like tonight, where you do lose a probably a few extra wickets than you'd like, and guys like with Obus and Glenn to be able to do the job at the back end there. Just shows their experience and kept it calm head. [Last ball] Serves me right for breathing easy when we needed two off four balls. Gets down to the last ball. But yeah, it makes the game so exciting. I think the fact that a guy like Andre Russell, who's got so much experience, is still able to execute under so much pressure, shows his class and talent and put us under a little bit of pressure, even at the back end, with nothing to play, with only two runs. It's nice to get it over the line."

Most Valuable Player, Mitch Owen: "[Enjoying MLC] It's a lot of fun. I'm loving it, obviously, out here playing in the game, and then off the field too. It's a great country, and I'm enjoying everything that comes with it. [Run Chase] I think we always have belief, especially on this wicket with sort of a shorter boundary and the wind sort of going that way, you feel like you can take control of the turnovers from this end. And the way we bowled the death was great to restrict them to that. And I guess we've built a lot of confidence from our previous chases. We knew it was going to be tough, and we had to bat well, but glad to get over the line. [Front foot pull] I mean, it probably gets me in more trouble than good. I mean, luckily enough, it came off a few times tonight. It's just slogging, isn't it? But no, it's good fun and I'm enjoying. [Going all the way again] Absolutely, we're playing with a lot of confidence and a lot of freedom. We're really enjoying this. And definitely can take it all the way."

Jason Holder: "In a sense, proud of the guys. They really fought. Unfortunately, we're just a little bit scrappy in terms of our fielding. Today, bowlers give a really good effort. We created a lot of opportunities, but we just didn't hold them. [Putting down chances] I stuffed a pinpoint man. It's hard to figure out. I don't know. We just got to be better. At the end of the day, the bowlers are doing a hell of a job to create the opportunities. I think of this group, we just have to be a lot better in the field. [Retired out Andre Fletcher] I just think in the back end he probably lost a little bit of momentum, and we just back our heavy hitters in Rovman, Russell, and myself, just come and get the innings on. Just a strategic plan, I think, is one where it could have paid off. We still got some runs in the back end. But having said that, I wouldn't take away anything from Fletcher's innings. We were playing the game as we saw it. Fletcher obviously played outstanding. He was going really well. Yes, he slowed down a little bit at the back end. But having said that, he still had a really good strike rate, and he kept things going for us hard. Just unfortunate. Sometimes, they go. I think credit must be given to Washington as well. They bowled well in the middle. I saw some fight today from our boys, even though we weren't our best in terms of the feeling, and I saw a lot more energy from the boys, which is something that we talked about. Unfortunately, we came up losing in today, but I think it's a hard-fought game."

10:45 pm What a dramatic run chase we've just witnessed! It was a game of "what ifs" for the Los Angeles Knight Riders, and ultimately, the Washington Freedom emerged victorious in a thrilling finish! The tone was set early on when Rovman Powell dropped a crucial catch of Mitch Owen in the second over. And Owen made them pay right away, blasting four straight sixes and completely ripping into the bowling during the Powerplay. His whirlwind cameo of 43 runs off only 16 deliveries at an incredible 269 strike rate may have ended with a superb slower delivery from van Schalkwyk, but he definitely laid the groundwork for the Freedom's big chase. The Knight Riders' woes in the field continued. Maxwell was given two lives in the 11th over, first dropped by Russell and then by substitute fielder Nitish. The Washington Freedom were cruising along nicely, bringing the required run rate down to under 10. However, the game took another twist when Sangha struck twice in the 14th over, picking up the key wickets of Edwards and Maxwell. But Phillips and Pienaar showed great composure in the middle, rotating the strike effectively and finding crucial boundaries when needed. Ultimately, it came down to those dropped catches for the Knight Riders. They missed four crucial opportunities today, and every single one proved costly. If they had held onto those, or if they had reviewed the caught behind in the final over... There are so many "what ifs" for the Knight Riders. Their fielding has been subpar throughout the tournament, and they also conceded a lot of extras in their attempt to bowl widish yorkers. Despite all the "ifs and buts" for the Knight Riders, the Freedom will be celebrating a remarkable victory! They managed to chase down this massive total without a single fifty, making it the highest run chase in T20 history without any individual fifties! This is also the second-highest run chase in the history of MLC. Knight Riders' best bowler was Sangha, who, despite the run-fest, picked up two wickets and was quite economical.

Ravi: "Is this the highest successful T20 chase without a half century?" Yes, Ravi.

MLCFan: "What a match!! Holder didn't Hold..!!"

Washington Freedom won by 5 wickets

19.6
1
Russell to Phillips, 1 run, Oh my word! Holder has failed to hold on to it! Low full-toss ball darted on middle-leg, Phillips throws his bat at it and connects the toe end of the bat towards short mid-on, Holder only managed to get a hand on the ball using the reverse cup method, juggled it, fell backwards, and nearly grabbed it on the rebound. The batters complete the single, no more super overs, guys; Washington Freedom gets the winning run!

Super over? Anyone? Attacking field setup. Here we go, Sangha standing beside the non-striker's end

Replay confirmed 19.4 had a spike as the ball passed the bat!

Ali Khan hurt his shoulder in the process while releasing the ball at the striker's end from the covers

19.5
1
Russell to Pienaar, 1 run, Scores level! Low full-toss ball outside the off stump, dabs it gently to the covers and scampers across to the other end
19.4
0
Russell to Pienaar, no run, Oh dear! Another dot ball! Slight fuller length ball outside the off stump, this one shapes away sharply wide outside off, wild swing and a miss

2 needed from 3 deliveries

19.3
0
Russell to Pienaar, no run, Dot balls piling up! Well directed bouncer outside off, shoulders arms
19.2
0
Russell to Pienaar, no run, Excellent yorker ball on the stumps, moves across the line and defends on the track
19.1
4
Russell to Pienaar, FOUR, Full, straight and thrashed through cover point! That should be the game for the Freedom. Half-volley ball on middle-leg, moves away from the wicket to make room, plays the check-drive, bends down and connects with the middle part of the bat through the covers!
19.1
1w
Russell to Pienaar, 1 wide, Oh dear, another wide delivery, 12th of the innings, this time sliding down the leg-side

Alright, folks. 7 runs needed from 6 deliveries. Dre Russ to bowl the last one.

Washington 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st51R RavindraMJ Owen
2nd32AGS GousR Ravindra
3rd38GJ MaxwellAGS Gous
4th30GJ MaxwellJ Edwards
5th3GJ MaxwellGD Phillips
6th60AJ PienaarGD Phillips