NEW DELHI: The Los Angeles Knights held their nerve in a breathtaking final to beat the Washington Freedom by a run and win their first Major League Cricket (MLC) title at the Oakland Coliseum in California, California on Saturday.Needing 14 runs off the final over, Washington looked favored after Obus Pienaar smashed the first ball for a 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 the newest MLC champions. MI New York won the inaugural title in 2023 and again in 2025, while the Washington Liberty lifted the trophy in 2024.
Knight Riders post 164
The Washington Liberty 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, hitting three fours and three sixes.Washington continued to fight 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) struck to dismiss the Knight Riders.
Narine and Holder put LAKR in command
Washington Freedom never found the early momentum in the chase as Sunil Narine tore 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 had three important knocks, dismissing Andries Gous (40), Nikhil Chaudhary (25) and Ben Dwarshuis (1), finishing with 3/31.At 109/6 in the 16th over, the Cavaliers looked firmly in control.
Pienaar almost wants the title
Pienaar launched a stunning counterattack, smashing 53 off just 24 balls, including three fours and five sixes, to drag Washington Freedom into the contest. His half-century left Washington needing 14 runs from the final over, setting up a dramatic finish.
Shadley gives under pressure
The finale had it all. Pienaar started with an extra six over cover to reduce the equation to eight required from five balls.Van Schalkwyk responded immediately with a perfect yorker that crashed into Pienaar’s stumps, removing the batter set at the most crucial moment.The next ball, Ian Holland tried to clear the infield, but only managed to find Jason Holder at length, leaving Washington stranded.Lockie Ferguson 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 win for the Knight Riders.