Freedom Edge Past Knight Riders in Final-Ball Thriller Despite Fletcher’s Blazing Century

Washington Freedom pulled off another dramatic chase in Major League Cricket (MLC), sealing a last-ball victory over the Los Angeles Knight Riders in a high-scoring contest that saw over 425 runs scored. Despite a stunning 104 off 60 balls from Andre Fletcher, the Knight Riders were edged out in the final over, leaving them stuck at fifth on the table while Freedom rose to second.

Fletcher’s innings, a display of timing and power that included seven fours and six sixes, had given the Knight Riders a commanding total of 213/4. Opening with Unmukt Chand (41 off 30), the pair added 130 for the first wicket in just 12.2 overs. Fletcher eventually chose to retire out after reaching his century in the 18th over, a tactical move that paved the way for Sherfane Rutherford (20 off 11) and Andre Russell (30* off 13) to finish the innings with a flurry.

However, Knight Riders’ most complete batting performance of the season still wasn’t enough to contain a resurgent Washington Freedom side that has now chased down two massive totals in as many games.

Freedom’s reply was spearheaded by a blistering start from Mitchell Owen, who smashed 43 off just 16 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes. With Rachin Ravindra (18 off 12) alongside him, the opening pair added 51 in quick time, setting the tone for a high-octane pursuit. By the end of the powerplay, Freedom had already reached 73/1—surpassing Knight Riders’ own powerplay total of 67/0.

Andries Gous (31 off 27) kept the innings ticking before Glenn Maxwell took charge in the middle overs. The Australian all-rounder struck 42 off 23 deliveries, including three sixes, accelerating the chase before Tanveer Sangha brought the Knight Riders back into the game by removing both Maxwell and Jack Edwards in the 14th over.

With the match poised on a knife-edge, Glenn Phillips anchored the chase with a nerveless 33* off 23 balls. The final over, bowled by Andre Russell, offered a tense finish. Freedom needed just 7 to win, but Russell’s late surge—three dot balls after conceding a wide and a boundary—meant the equation boiled down to 2 runs from 2 balls. Singles from Obus Pienaar and Phillips eventually sealed the game with no balls to spare.