In a thrilling finale at Grand Prairie Stadium, Washington Freedom claimed the Cognizant Major League Cricket 2024 trophy with a commanding 96-run victory over the San Francisco Unicorns. Displaying a powerful combination of aggressive batting and clinical bowling, the Freedom established themselves as the team to beat in this year’s tournament.

Smith and Maxwell Lead the Charge

Washington Freedom set the tone early with an imposing total of 208, courtesy of a scintillating knock from Steve Smith (88) and a crucial contribution from Glenn Maxwell (40). Despite losing Travis Head (9) early, Smith anchored the innings with poise and aggression, steering the Freedom past early setbacks. He built a steady partnership with Andries Gous (21), before launching into an array of boundary-laden shots that kept the run rate soaring.

Maxwell joined Smith and together they decimated the Unicorns' bowling attack, highlighted by a memorable over in which Drysdale conceded 28 runs. Their relentless assault pushed the score to a formidable 208, setting a new record for the highest total in a Major League Cricket final. Mukhtar Ahmed (19*) added the finishing touches with a quick cameo that included a couple of lusty blows, further boosting the total.

Unicorns Stumble in the Chase

Chasing a daunting target, the San Francisco Unicorns faltered from the outset. Jake Fraser-McGurk (3) fell cheaply in the third over, and Marco Jansen delivered a pivotal blow by dismissing Finn Allen (13), the century-maker from the qualifier, putting the Unicorns in dire straits at 30/3.

The middle order crumbled as Sherfane Rutherford (4) and Josh Inglis (18) were removed early, extinguishing any hopes of a comeback. Washington’s bowlers were relentless, with Andrew Tye, brought in specifically for the final, taking two critical wickets. Rachin Ravindra cleaned up the tail with an impressive spell of 3/23, sealing the Unicorns’ fate.

A Celebration of Dominance

This victory not only handed Washington Freedom the championship but also underscored their dominance throughout the tournament. The team’s aggressive batting, strategic bowling changes, and cohesive team effort culminated in a memorable performance that left their opponents searching for answers.

Tournament Highlights and Awards

• Champions: Washington Freedom

• Runners-Up: San Francisco Unicorns

• Stake Most Valuable Player of the Tournament: Travis Head (Washington Freedom)

• Royal Rice Leading Run Scorer: Faf du Plessis (Texas Super Kings)

• Willow by Cricbuzz Leading Wicket Taker: Saurabh Netravalkar (Washington Freedom)

• Bart King Domestic Player of the Tournament: Hassan Khan (San Francisco Unicorns)

Looking Forward

Washington Freedom’s emphatic victory in the Major League Cricket 2024 final will be remembered as a testament to their all-around capabilities and winning mindset. For the San Francisco Unicorns, this loss serves as a learning experience, as they look to regroup and come back stronger in future seasons. This season’s finale highlighted the growing competitiveness and excitement of Major League Cricket, setting the stage for more thrilling encounters in the years to come.

Stay tuned to @batballusa for more updates as we celebrate a season of explosive cricket and look ahead to future battles on the pitch.