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NEW DELHI: Los Angeles Knight Riders lacked guts in a breathtaking final to beat Washington Freedom by one run to clinch their maiden Major League Cricket (MLC) title at the Oakland Coliseum in California, California on Saturday.Needing 14 runs to reach the final over, Washington looked favorites after Obus Pienaar hit the first ball for a six. But Shadley van Schalkwyk took three wickets in the last five deliveries, including a run-out off the last ball, sparking wild celebrations as the Knight Riders became the newest MLC champions. MI New York won the inaugural title in 2023 and again in 2025, while the Washington Freedom lifted the trophy 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 gave the innings early momentum with 47 off 27 balls, while Colin Munro made 40 off 29. After Andre Russell fell for a duck, Matthew Tromp played a crucial knock of 39 off 21 deliveries, hitting three fours and three sixes.Washington continued to fight back with posts at regular intervals. 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) chipped in to dismiss the Knight Riders.
Narine and Holder put LAKR in charge
Washington Freedom never found the early momentum in the chase as Sunil Narine broke through the top. The left-arm spinner removed Mitchell Owen (9), Steven Smith (8) and Rachin Ravindra (7) to finish with magnificent figures of 3/13.Captain Jason Holder then struck three important strikes, dismissing 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 firmly in control.
Pienaar almost stole the title
Pienaar produced a stunning counter-attack, smashing 53 off just 24 balls, including three fours and five sixes, to bring the Washington Freedom back into the contest. His half-century left Washington needing 14 runs from the final over, setting up a dramatic finish.
Shadley delivers under pressure
The final over had everything. Pienaar started with a six over extra cover to bring the equation down to eight needed from five balls.Van Schalkwyk responded immediately with a perfect yorker that crashed into Pienaar’s stumps, removing the set batter at the crucial moment.On the very next ball, Ian Holland tried to clear the infield but only managed to find Jason Holder at long-on, leaving Washington in doubt.Lockie Ferguson then continued the chase with a boundary before taking a single, leaving Lahiru Milantha needing three runs off the last ball.Milantha completed the first run but was left out while attempting the second run as wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton completed the shutout, sealing a dramatic one-run victory for the Knight Riders.
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