MLC 2024: Washington Freedom beat Texas Super Kings by 42 runs in Match 17 of the Major League Cricket 2024, as the Steve Smith-led side extend their ‘invincible’ run in the tournament to 6 matches. Washington Freedom have won 5 out of their 6 matches, as the fixture against Texas Super Kings earlier in the tournament was abandoned due to rain.
Washington’s 2️⃣0️⃣6️⃣ proved too powerful as they continue their undefeated run! 🔴🔵#MLC2024 | #CognizantMajorLeagueCricket | #T20 pic.twitter.com/H0kkG5Hy59
— Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 20, 2024
Washington Freedom Vs Texas Super Kings MLC 2024 Match 17 Highlights
Electing to bowl first, the Texas Super Kings did not do justice to their decision, as the in-form opening pair of Steve Smith and Travis Head were off to a flying start, and the duo notched up 59 runs in 4.2 overs before the latter fell prey to Noor Ahmed. The partnership was indeed, a hilarious one, as Travis Head scored 53 runs out of those 59 runs, whereas, Steve Smith faced merely 5 balls, and scored 4 runs.
Texas Super Kings made a mini-comeback of their own, as Travis Head’s departure was followed by quick dismissals of Andries Gous and Rachin Ravindra inside the next 20 runs, ad Washington Freedom were reeling at 79/3 in 7 overs.
The small stutter did not halt the scoring rate, as the Australian duo of Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith notched up a 58-run stand to resurrect the innings before Glenn Maxwell departed on the score of 138. Steve Smith held his guard until the last phase of the innings, as his excellent half-century enabled the Freedom to cross the 200-run mark.
In reply, the in-form Faf Du Plessis announced his arrival on the pitch in some style, as the Proteas legend unleashed his wrath on Washington Freedom bowlers, and TSK were 76/1 at the end of the powerplay. What followed later was a downhill journey for the side, as wickets fell in quick succession and intervals, and the target of 207 seemed even more improbable.
The Faf Du Plessis-led side bundled out for 164, as four wickets from Rachin Ravindra, and three wickets each from Glenn Maxwell and Jasdeep Singh saw Washington Freedom home in a winning cause.
