MLC: Andries Gous' 96 off 54 powers Washington Freedom to five-wicket win against MI New York

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Andries Gous (Image credit: MLC)

NEW DELIH: Washington Freedom signed off their Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 league-stage campaign with a five-wicket win over MI New York at Grand Prairie, successfully chasing 188 in just 18.3 overs.

Despite a brilliant 86 off 44 balls from Nicholas Pooran, Washington Freedom rode on Rachin Ravindra's quickfire 60 and Andries Gous' unbeaten knock of 96 to seal victory.With the league stage now over, all four playoff spots have been confirmed.

The San Francisco Unicorns will take on the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the Qualifier, while Washington Freedom will face MI New York in the Eliminator on July 15.

Pooran shines for MI New York

After being asked to bat first, MI New York lost Quinton de Kock (2) and Monank Patel (17) early.Nicholas Pooran then took charge with a superb innings, smashing four fours and eight sixes during his 86 off 44 balls. He shared a 90-run partnership for the third wicket with Kunwarjeet Singh, who scored 26 off 20 deliveries.

Pooran's innings ended in the 16th over when he was trapped lbw by Saurabh Netravalkar with MI New York on 150/4.Kieron Pollard and Romario Shepherd failed to make an impact, while Shakib Al Hasan added a useful 18 off 13 balls before falling late in the innings.

Trent Boult remained unbeaten on 6 as MI New York finished with 187/8.For Washington Freedom, Netravalkar, Ravindra and Ben Dwarshuis picked up two wickets each.

Ravindra and Gous lead the chase

Washington Freedom's chase got off to a poor start as Mitchell Owen (7) and captain Steve Smith (3) were dismissed inside the first three overs, leaving the team at 13/2.

Ravindra changed the momentum with a sparkling 60 off just 30 balls. He hit five fours and two sixes before being dismissed in the 14th over with Freedom well on course.At the other end, Andries Gous anchored the chase with a superb 96 off 54 deliveries, including four fours and eight sixes. He missed out on a century by just four runs after being dismissed in the 18th over.Glenn Maxwell then finished the chase with an unbeaten 12 off five balls, while Nikhil Chaudhary remained not out on 3 as Washington Freedom reached the target with five wickets in hand and nine balls to spare.