MLC 2026: LA Knight Riders clinch maiden title with thrilling one-run win over Washington Freedom | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: The Los Angeles Knight Riders held their nerve in a breathtaking final over to beat Washington Freedom by one run and win their maiden Major League Cricket (MLC) title at the Oakland Coliseum in California, California on Saturday.Needing 14 runs off the final over, Washington looked favourites after Obus Pienaar smashed the first ball for six. But Shadley van Schalkwyk produced three wickets in the last five deliveries, including a run-out off the final ball, to spark wild celebrations as the Knight Riders became MLC’s newest champions.MI New York won the inaugural title in 2023 and again in 2025, while Washington Freedom lifted the trophy in 2024.
Knight Riders post 164
Washington Freedom had 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 from 21 deliveries, striking three fours and three sixes.Washington kept fighting back with wickets 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 bowl the Knight Riders out.
Narine and Holder put LAKR in command
Washington Freedom never found early momentum in the chase as Sunil Narine ripped through the top order. 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 blows, dismissing Andries Gous (40), Nikhil Chaudhary (25) and Ben Dwarshuis (1), ending with 3/31.At 109/6 in the 16th over, the Knight Riders looked firmly in control.
Pienaar almost steals the title
Pienaar launched a stunning counterattack, smashing 53 off just 24 balls, including three fours and five sixes, to drag 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 most crucial moment.The very next ball, Ian Holland tried to clear the infield but only managed to find Jason Holder at long-off, leaving Washington reeling.Lockie Ferguson then kept the chase alive with a boundary before taking a single, leaving Lahiru Milantha needing three runs off the final ball.Milantha completed the first run but was run out while attempting the second as wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton completed the dismissal, sealing a dramatic one-run victory for the Knight Riders.
