The thirteenth match of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 on the Oakland Coliseum delivered an absolute basic on June 27, 2026. In a recreation that can go down in cricket folklore, Washington Freedom clinched a panoramic one-wicket victory off the ultimate ball of the match towards Texas Tremendous Kings (TSK), rendering a spectacular late-game hat-trick utterly futile.
Nikhil Chaudhary guides Washington Freedom to victory as Akeal Hosein’s hat-trick proves futile
Chasing a demanding goal of 186, Washington Freedom regarded closely favored earlier than working right into a chaotic remaining over bowled by Akeal Hosein. With Washington needing simply 6 runs off the ultimate 6 balls, Hosein produced a legendary bowling sequence that almost pulled off a miracle for Texas.
After a dot ball on the primary supply, Hosein despatched shockwaves by the stadium. On 19.2, he eliminated Marco Jansen (9), who holed out to deep sq. leg. The very subsequent ball, Amila Aponso went for a glory shot and was caught at deep sq.. With rigidity peaking, Hosein deceived Asif Mehmood on 19.4, leading to a pointy stumping by Saiteja Mukkamalla.
Hosein had secured a sensational hat-trick, shifting the rating from 180/6 to 180/9 in three deliveries. Nevertheless, Nikhil Chaudhary remained stranded on the non-striker’s finish, watching the collapse. After Lockie Ferguson scrambled a leg bye on the fifth ball, Chaudhary lastly received his probability with 5 runs wanted off the final word supply. Displaying nerves of metal, Chaudhary smashed a looped-up supply from Hosein flat over midwicket for an enormous six, triggering wild celebrations within the Washington dugout.
Right here’s the video:
YOU CAN’T ASK FOR A BETTER MATCH ENDING ‼️ Issues regarded bleak for the Washington Freedom after Akeal Hosein received the primary hat trick in MLC historical past, however rookie Nikhil Chaudhary proved his mettled and took WF over the road for a last-ball thriller win—and all on his debut. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/er8Qp3zoPe
— Cognizant Main League Cricket (@MLCricket) June 28, 2026
Additionally READ: MLC 2026: Texas Super Kings climb to top; San Francisco Unicorns edge Seattle Orcas in last-over thriller
Washington Freedom edge previous TSK in MLC 2026
Earlier within the day, the Texas Tremendous Kings posted a formidable 185/4 after being put into bat. Skipper Faf du Plessis fell early for simply 8, however a steady top-order rebuilding act by Mukkamalla (37) and Rilee Rossouw (34) set the baseline. The actual fireworks got here from the lower-middle order, as Wiaan Mulder (43* off 20) and Donovan Ferreira (44* off 20) mixed for an unbeaten 75-run partnership, punishing the Washington bowlers within the dying overs. Chaudhary was the decide of Freedom’s bowlers, returning extremely disciplined figures of two/29 throughout his 4 overs.
In response, Washington’s chase received off to a flying begin. Mitchell Owen blasted a sensational 77 off simply 35 balls, together with 6 sixes, alongside a gentle 30 from captain Steven Smith. Their opening stand of 91 runs inside 8 overs put Freedom in a commanding place.
Regardless of a middle-order stutter towards the TSK bowling unit, spearheaded by Hosein’s remaining over heroism (4/36) and Adam Milne‘s tight 2/31—Chaudhary’s calculated composure proved to be the final word distinction. Scoring an unbeaten 27* off 19 balls to accompany his two wickets, Chaudhary was rightfully awarded the Participant of the Match.
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