MI New York scored 154/9 in 20 overs, where as Washington Freedom scored 55/1 in 7.4 overs.
So, finally Washington Freedom won by 4 runs (DLS Method).
Steve Smith’s unbeaten 46 off 28 balls, including four fours and three sixes, propelled Washington Freedom just past the DLS par score before rain halted play, securing them a win over defending champions MI New York to start their MLC campaign.
MI New York, batting first, faced early setbacks losing two top-order batsmen within the first five overs.
Despite a brief partnership between opener Ruben Clinton and Nicholas Pooran, who scored 44 off 30 balls, MI New York managed to post 154/9, boosted by Rashid Khan’s quickfire 31 off 15 balls.
In response, Washington Freedom had a shaky start with just three runs in the first over and losing Travis Head early.
Steve Smith, leading from the front, initially bided his time but accelerated with a crucial boundary off Ehsan Adil in the fourth over.
He followed it up with a six and then launched a blistering attack on Anrich Nortje in the sixth over, hitting two sixes and a boundary to shift the momentum in Freedom’s favor.
Andries Gous supported with timely boundaries, ensuring Freedom stayed ahead of the required rate.
However, play was interrupted midway through the eighth over due to lightning, followed by persistent rain, leading to the match being called off prematurely.
At the stoppage, Washington Freedom were 55/1, four runs ahead of the DLS par score they needed.
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