Brought to you by Batball USA – Your Home for American Cricket

In a pulsating Major League Cricket clash, Washington Freedom secured a convincing victory over MI New York (MINY) at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium. After winning the toss, Freedom elected to bowl first, influenced by the San Francisco Unicorns' successful chase in the previous match. What unfolded was a high-octane game, with explosive batting, disciplined bowling, and a dramatic finish.

MI New York started strongly, led by the in-form Monank Patel and Quinton de Kock. Monank, fresh off scoring the highest total by a domestic player in Major League Cricket history, showcased his technical prowess with a well-crafted 32. His ability to blend aggression with precision kept the scoreboard ticking. Meanwhile, De Kock, looking to rediscover his form after a lackluster IPL season, played a blistering knock of 55 runs off just 34 balls, peppering the boundary with ease.

The middle order, powered by Nicholas Pooran and Michael Bracewell, maintained the momentum, guiding MINY to a respectable 188/4 in 20 overs. Pooran’s flair and Bracewell’s composure ensured a strong finish, setting a challenging target for Freedom.

Washington Freedom’s bowling attack was led by Mitchell Owen and Saurabh Netravalkar, who were the pick of the bowlers. Owen’s disciplined line and length saw him concede just 29 runs in his four overs, while Netravalkar’s clever variations yielded only 30 runs. Their efforts kept MINY’s scoring in check during crucial phases, preventing the total from ballooning beyond reach.

Chasing 189, Washington Freedom came out with intent, spearheaded by Mitchell Owen’s explosive batting. Owen, continuing his all-round brilliance, smashed 60 runs off just 26 balls, including five monstrous sixes—some soaring over 100 meters. His aggressive approach set the tone, putting MINY’s bowlers under immediate pressure.

MINY fought back with Sunny Patel and Naveen-ul-Haq picking up key wickets around Owen, briefly tilting the game in their favor. However, Mark Chapman’s composure proved decisive. After Owen’s departure, Chapman anchored the chase, staying unbeaten and ensuring Freedom crossed the finish line.

The match remained in the balance until the 19th over, where Trent Boult delivered an exceptional spell, tightening the screws and giving MINY hope. However, young Rushil Ugarkar had a day to forget, leaking 35 runs in his two overs. His expensive spell, particularly in the death overs, swung the momentum firmly in Freedom’s favor, allowing them to close out the game comfortably.

Key Performances :

Monank Patel (MINY): 32 runs, showcasing technical brilliance.

Quinton de Kock (MINY): 55 off 34 balls, signaling a return to form.

Mitchell Owen (Freedom): 4 overs for 29 runs and 60 off 26 balls with 5 sixes.

Saurabh Netravalkar (Freedom): 4 overs for 30 runs, economical and effective.

Mark Chapman (Freedom): Unbeaten, steering the chase to victory.

Freedom’s decision to bowl first paid dividends, and their aggressive chase underlined their dominance in this thrilling Major League Cricket encounter.

Stay tuned for more MLC action as the tournament heats up!

© 2025 Batball USA. All photos and content are copyrighted. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.