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9:14 AM IST, 10:44 PM Local Time: The match went down to the wire after it initially looked like Washington Freedom would seal it comfortably in the final over. Russell bowled brilliantly in the last few deliveries, but unfortunately couldn’t take his side over the line. Washington Freedom’s winning ways continue in MLC 2025 as they hunt down 213 to defeat the Los Angeles Knight Riders by five wickets, stretching their unbeaten streak to five matches. With this win, they move to second on the points table.

Earlier, after being invited to bat first, Andre Fletcher came out all guns blazing, giving the Los Angeles Knight Riders a terrific start. He took the bowlers apart, smashing them to all corners of the park while adding 130 runs for the opening wicket alongside Unmukt Chand (41) - the highest ever opening partnership in the history of MLC. The Caribbean power-hitter brought up his century before retiring out on 104. Cameos from Sherfane Rutherford (20) and Andre Russell (30*) then propelled the Knight Riders to an imposing 213/4 in their 20 overs.

Ian Holland impressed with the ball for Washington Freedom, claiming two wickets for 25 runs in 3 overs. Jack Edwards celebrated a solitary wicket but was a tad expensive.

In reply, Mitchell Owen got Washington Freedom off to a flying start, finding boundaries from the outset — exactly what they needed in pursuit of a hefty target. However, van Schalkwyk came into the attack and removed the on-song batter, Owen, for 43 runs, drawing first blood for the Knight Riders. Rachin Ravindra (18) and Andries Gous (31) looked good for a while, but they failed to convert their start into a big score.

Glenn Maxwell looked in sublime touch and was given a couple of reprieves by the Knight Riders fielders, including a drop by Russell. However, the Australian star couldn’t make the most of those chances and fell 8 runs short of his fifty at the crucial juncture of the game, with Tanveer Sangha eventually trapping the big fish.

Glenn Phillips (33*) and Obus Pienaar (23*) combined in the middle to keep the required run rate in check. The equation was brought down to six runs off the final over, and then just one run off the last ball. The game nearly went to a Super Over, but Jason Holder couldn’t hold on to a catch at mid-on on the final delivery, allowing Washington Freedom to cross the line in a last-ball thriller.

Tanveer Sangha bagged a couple of wickets for Knight Riders, while Jason Holder, Ali Khan, and Shadley van Schalkwyk celebrated a solitary wicket.

Stay tuned for the presentation.......

Jason Holder (Los Angeles Knight Riders Captain): "Proud of the way the guys fought. We were scrappy in the field. It is tough to pinpoint, we just have to be better as a fielding group. Andre Fletcher played an outstanding innings but he lost momentum in the end. Thought Rovman Powell and myself could inject some momentum. It was a strategic plan. But I don't take anything from Fletcher's innings. Credit to Washington as well who bowled well in the middle and the back-end. I saw a lot more energy from the boys which is something we talked about."

Time for the post-match presentation......

Most Valuable Player of the Match: Mitchell Owen

Mitchell Owen (MVP): "Yeah, it’s a lot of fun — I’m loving it. Obviously, being out here playing the game is fantastic, and off the field as well. It’s a great country, and I’m enjoying everything that comes with it.

Yeah, I think you always have belief, especially on this wicket with the shorter boundary and the wind going that way. You feel like you can take control of those 10 overs from this end. The way we bowled at the death was great to restrict them to that total. I guess we’ve built a lot of confidence from our previous chases, so we knew it was going to be tough and we’d have to bat well, but I’m glad we got over the line.

Absolutely, yeah. We’re playing with a lot of confidence and a lot of freedom, so we’re really enjoying this. And we definitely believe we can take it all the way."

Glenn Maxwell (Washington Freedom Captain): "I thought we scrapped really hard with the ball. They got off to a great start but we slowed them down during the middle overs. Thought their total was a little bit under-par especially with the short boundary on one side. It is nice to see it was a full team effort to get the job done.

(On Ian Holland) Yeah, he was outstanding. He has been outstanding throughout the tournament. Couldn't be happier for him. We might go for a few more runs but backing our all-rounders to get the job done. Guys like Glenn (Glenn Phillips) and Obus (Obus Pienaar), they have the experience and calmness. The fact that a guy like Andre Russell is still able to execute, shows his class and talent, he put us under some pressure in the final over." 

Washington Freedom, the defending champions, are on a mission this season as well. After losing their opening game, they haven’t looked back, winning five matches on the trot to move up to second on the points table. Time to wrap up this coverage, folks! For now, it's me, Deepak Prakash, signing off on behalf of co-commentators Karthik Raj, Saptak Sanyal and scorer/analyst Yogesh Kumar. CHEERS!