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Washington Freedom Clinch Five-Wicket Win Over LA Knight Riders in Last-Ball Thriller
Freedom Move Up Table With Nail-Biting Win in Dallas
In a pulsating showdown at the Dallas stadium, Washington Freedom edged out the LA Knight Riders by five wickets on the very last ball. The victory propels Freedom into a strong position for playoff qualification, overtaking Texas Super Kings for second place.
⚡ Tense Chase Comes Down to Final Delivery
Russell Holds Nerve, Holder’s Missed Catch Decides the Match
With seven needed off the final over, Andre Russell stepped up confidently. Despite a wide and a boundary that left the equation at 2 from 5, he defended stoically until the last ball.
On that decisive delivery, Russell bowled tightly, forcing a mid-on catch opportunity. Jason Holder’s dropped catch, after an initial touch and failed dive, allowed Glenn Phillips and Obus Pienaar to sneak the winning single and seal the thriller.
Knight Riders’ Batting Fireworks Fuel Their Total
Fletcher’s Stellar Century Sets the Stage
Earlier, Andre Fletcher stormed to a spectacular 104 off just 60 balls, hitting seven fours and six sixes. His explosive start, combined with Unmukt Chand’s 41 off 30, delivered a 130-run opening partnership in just 74 deliveries.
Following that, Lower-order hitters including Sherfane Rutherford (20 off 11), Holder (11 off 6), and Russell (30* off 13) propelled the Knight Riders to a formidable 213/4 in 20 overs. They amassed 59 runs in the final five overs, and Fletcher was even retired out tactically with 12 balls remaining—allowing Russell and Holder to contribute 23 more runs.
Freedom’s Chase: Solid Partnerships but Late Drama
Owen and Maxwell Lay the Foundation
In response, Mitchell Owen smashed 43 off 16 balls, including two sixes, setting the tone with Freedom racing to 73/1 in the PowerPlay. This momentum was maintained by Andreas Gous and Glenn Maxwell, who added crucial runs toward the halfway mark and kept Freedom well on track.
Phillips and Pienaar Guide Nervy Finish
After early wickets slowed the chase, Phillips and Pienaar steadied the ship with surgical batting. Their patient yet aggressive approach brought the equation down to 15 off 12. Crucially, Ali Khan’s penultimate over kept pressure on freedom, leaving Russell to defend seven in the final over—a nearly impossible task that ended with a memorable dropped catch.
Implications and Reaction
Playoff Picture Sharpened
This electrifying win solidifies Washington Freedom’s playoff aspirations and strengthens the race for the top two. Meanwhile, the Knight Riders must review their over-rate and fielding under duress, with the dropped catch haunting their cause.
Read more on Washington Freedom’s road to the postseason in our team analysis section.
Key Player Statistics
LA Knight Riders – 213/4 (20 overs)
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Andre Fletcher: 104 (60b, 7×4, 6×6)
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Unmukt Chand: 41 (30b)
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Sherfane Rutherford: 20 (11b)
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Jason Holder: 11 (6b)
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Andre Russell: 30* (13b)
Washington Freedom – 214/5 (20 overs)
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Mitchell Owen: 43 (16b)
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Glenn Maxwell: 42 (23b)
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Glenn Phillips: 33*
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Tanveer Sangha: 2–35
Credit for Dazzling Match Ends
Drama, Rampant Sixes, and a Final Misstep
This thrilling encounter—marked by big-hitting, tight bowling, fielding drama, and a heartbreaking dropped catch—showcased cricket at its most dramatic. The performance underlines why Texas-based franchises are popular and sets high expectations for upcoming playoff matches.
For full scorecard and official commentary, visit ESPNcricinfo.
