Australian superstar Steve Smith powered Washington Freedom in a record-breaking T20 run-chase as they overcame defending champions MI New York in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 Eliminator match in Oakland on Wednesday night.
Set a record 267-run chase on the back of Nicholas Pooran’s 31-ball century, the fastest in MLC history, Washington skipper Smith and wicket-keeper Andries Gous (132, 51b, 10×4, 12×6) combined to produce a stunning six-wicket win. Down 10 for two inside three overs, Smith and Gous produced a record third-wicket stand that yielded 241 runs in only 89 balls.
In a match that was a repeat of last year’s final where MI had emerged victorious, Smith remained unbeaten on 110 off 48 balls (7 fours and 9 sixes) as Washington stormed to the target in only 18.4 overs.
Washington broke the all-time T20 record held by Indian Premier League (IPL) side Punjab Kings for the highest successful chase in the format. PBKS had gunned down a 265-run target against the Delhi Capitals in Delhi in April this year during the IPL 2026 season, bettering their own record of a 262-run chase against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.