Major League Cricket 2025Cricket Match ReportsCricket NewsMajor League CricketMLCMLC 2025Rain-Affected Matchestexas super kingsUSA CricketUSA CricketersWashington Freedom
Texas Super Kings Dominate Washington Freedom in Rain-Curtailed Clash to Go Second on Points Table
TSK’s Explosive Finish and Clinical Bowling Seal 43-Run Win in Five-Over Showdown
Lauderhill, July 2 – In a dramatic, rain-shortened encounter, Texas Super Kings (TSK) unleashed a powerful all-round performance to crush Washington Freedom by 43 runs, surging to second place in the standings. With the top three teams now tied on 12 points, the tournament promises a tight finish with two games remaining for each side.
The match, originally scheduled for a full T20 format, was reduced to five overs per side due to persistent rain, but that didn’t stop TSK from delivering one of the most dominant displays in a truncated contest in league history.
Ferreira, Ranjane Power TSK to Mammoth 87/2 in Just 30 Balls
Captain Stoinis Falls Early, But Finishers Fire in Final Two Overs
With Faf du Plessis sidelined due to a minor injury, Marcus Stoinis led the Super Kings and opened the innings with Daryl Mitchell. The pair struggled initially, managing just five runs in the opening over, with Stoinis nicking behind early.
However, the momentum shifted when Shubham Ranjane entered and launched a counter-attack, smashing two towering sixes in the second over to inject life into the innings. Mitchell, struggling to find fluency, was retired out strategically at the end of the third over, with the scoreboard reading a modest 34/1.
That move proved game-changing.
Ranjane and Donovan Ferreira took charge in the death overs, piling on a jaw-dropping 53 runs in the final 12 balls. Ranjane’s power-hitting set the tone with two fours and a six in the fourth over, while Ferreira exploded in the final over, smashing four consecutive sixes off Mitchell Owen, finishing unbeaten on 37 off just 9 balls. Their fireworks catapulted TSK to 87/2, marking the second-highest total ever in a five-over professional match.
📌 Check out our in-depth player profile on Donovan Ferreira’s rise in T20 cricket
Freedom Falter Under Pressure in Chase of 88
Burger, Hosein, and Noor Ahmed Seal the Game with Disciplined Spells
Chasing a mammoth 88 in just five overs, Washington Freedom needed an explosive start—and Rachin Ravindra provided hope with a four and a six in the first over. But that was short-lived.
Nandre Burger turned the tide dramatically by striking twice in succession, dismissing both Ravindra and Glenn Maxwell with back-to-back deliveries. That double blow left Freedom rattled at the end of the second over.
Akeal Hosein followed up with a masterclass in short-format bowling. Although his over began with a six, the spinner tightened the screws with five consecutive dot balls, including a wicket, virtually sealing the game for TSK.
Noor Ahmed and Hosein bowled out the innings expertly, restricting Washington Freedom to just 44/4, exactly half of what their opponents had scored.
Texas Super Kings vs Washington Freedom – MLC 2025
Match Details:
-
Venue: Central Broward Stadium, Lauderhill
-
Format: 5-over match (rain-affected)
-
Result: Texas Super Kings won by 43 runs
Texas Super Kings: 87/2 in 5 overs
-
Shubham Ranjane: 39* (13)
-
Donovan Ferreira: 37* (9)
-
Mitchell Owen: 1/29
Washington Freedom: 44/4 in 5 overs
-
Rachin Ravindra: 12 (5)
-
Nandre Burger: 2/12
-
Akeal Hosein: 1/9
What This Means for the Points Table
This emphatic win places Texas Super Kings in the top two of the MLC 2025 standings, with 12 points, joining Washington Freedom and another title contender. With two games left for each, the race to the playoffs remains open, and net run rate could become the deciding factor.
View the latest MLC 2025 standings and team stats on the official MLC website
