Historic MLC match between Smith and Pooran sets new T20 milestones.

In a historic showdown at the Oakland Coliseum on Tuesday, the Washington Freedom achieved a remarkable feat by completing the highest successful chase in T20 history, defeating the defending champions MI New York by six wickets in Eliminator 1 of the MLC 2026. This match marked a significant milestone as it was the first time three batters scored centuries in a single men's T20 match.

Nicholas Pooran led the charge with a blistering 31-ball century, setting a new record for the fastest hundred in Major League Cricket. He was joined by Andries Gous and Steven Smith, both of whom also reached three figures, scoring their centuries in just 40 balls each. The Freedom's successful chase of 267 runs not only secured their place in Eliminator 2 against the San Francisco Unicorns but also surpassed the previous record of 265 runs set by the Punjab Kings against the Delhi Capitals earlier this year.

Washington Freedom's innings began on a shaky note, losing two early wickets to Shakib Al Hasan, leaving them at 10 for 2. However, Gous and Smith quickly stabilized the innings, forming a formidable partnership of 241 runs for the third wicket in a mere 89 balls. This partnership is now recorded as the joint second-highest for any wicket in men's T20 cricket. The match concluded with Freedom successfully chasing down the target, solidifying their place in the tournament and etching their names in T20 history.