Washington Freedom re-wrote the record books on Wednesday, posting the highest innings in T20 history by chasing down 267 to defeat defending champions New York MI by six wickets in Eliminator 1 of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 at the Oakland Coliseum.The run surpassed Punjab Kings’ 265 against Delhi Capitals in the IPL earlier this year, making it the highest run scored in T20 cricket.The match turned into one of the most successful matches as MI New York scored 266, with the help of Nicholas Pooran’s 31-ball century. The Washington Freedom responded with a record run as Andries Gous and Steven Smith led the way to keep their hopes alive.Liberty will now face the San Francisco Unicorns in Eliminator 2, the winner will take on the LA Knight Riders in the MLC 2026 final.The match also entered the books for 51 sixes, the most in a T20 match and the first time a match featured more than 50. MI New York cleared the wickets 29 times, while Washington Freedom hit 22 sixes.The previous record reached 42 sixes, achieved by Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings in IPL 2024, and was later matched by Guyana Amazon Warriors and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League in the same year.MI New York’s 29 sixes also became the most wins by a team in MLC history, breaking the previous record of 28 set by the San Francisco Unicorns against the Washington Freedom in Oakland in 2025.Pooran’s hundred came off just 31 balls, making it the fastest century in MLC history and the second fastest in T20 cricket. Chris Gayle’s 30-ball hundred for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Pune Warriors India in IPL in 2013 was the fastest. The previous MLC record was held by Finn Allen, who reached the milestone with 34 goals last year.The match also produced 536 runs, the second highest total in T20 history. Only the 549-run stand between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024 has scored the most runs in a T20 match.Washington Freedom’s win came despite Pooran’s record breaking performance, Gous and Smith leading their side to one of the biggest wins the format has seen. The match also saw the second highest partnership in T20 history, a stand of 241, adding another record to a game that has also recorded multiple events.
