New Delhi: The Los Angeles Knight Riders performed their best in the final to beat the Washington Freedom by one run and win their first Major League Cricket (MLC) title at the Oakland Coliseum in California, California on Saturday.Needing 14 runs off the last over, Washington looked to be in favor after Obus Pienaar smashed the first ball for a six. But Shadley van Schalkwyk took three wickets in the last five overs, including the last ball, to kick off the celebrations as the Knight Riders became the new MLC champions. MI New York won the inaugural title in 2023 and in 2025, while the Washington Freedom lifted the championship in 2024.
Knight Riders post 164
Washington Freedom won the toss and elected to bowl. Batting first, Los Angeles were bowled out for 164 in 19.4 overs.Andre Fletcher provided an early lead with 47 from 27 balls, while Colin Munro made 40 from 29. After Andre Russell fell for a duck, Matthew Tromp played 39 from 21 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes.Washington continued to struggle with frequent wickets. Ben Dwarshuis was the pick of the bowlers with 3/31, while Rachin Ravindra (2/23), Nikhil Chaudhary (2/32) and Mitchell Owen (2/14) made it to the Knight Riders.
Narine and Holder put LAKR into law
Washington’s freedom was never found early in the chase as Sunil Narine took the leap. The left-arm bowler dismissed Mitchell Owen (9), Steven Smith (8) and Rachin Ravindra (7) to finish with excellent figures of 3/13.Captain Jason Holder then struck three important wickets, chasing Andries Gous (40), Nikhil Chaudhary (25) and Ben Dwarshuis (1), finishing with 3/31.At 109/6 in the 16th over, the Knight Riders looked confident.
Pienaar almost steals the title
Pienaar put on a stunning display, smashing 53 off just 24 balls, including three fours and five sixes, to drag the Washington Freedom back into the tournament. The fifty-year-old left Washington 14 runs short of the final over, finishing in a stunning manner.
Shadley delivers under pressure
The last one had it all. Pienaar started with a six over cover to bring the equation down to eight required from five balls.Van Schalkwyk responded immediately with a superb header that landed on Pienaar’s stumps, canceling the strike at a crucial moment.The next ball, Ian Holland tried to clear the infield but found Jason Holder wide, leaving Washington reeling.Lockie Ferguson then kept the chase alive with a boundary before taking one, leaving Lahiru Milantha needing three runs off the last ball.The Lightning completed the first innings but were run out in the second attempt when wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton completed the run, sealing a one-run victory for the Knight Riders.
