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New Delhi: Steve Smith and Andries Gous smashed terrific tons to power Washington Freedom to a record chase in their Eliminator clash against MI New York in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 on Wednesday. Smith and Gous helped Washington Freedom break Punjab Kings’ record for the highest successful chase in the history of T20 cricket.

Gous slammed a quickfire 132 off 51 deliveries, while Smith scored an unbeaten 110 off 48 balls as Washington Freedom chased down a mammoth target of 267 runs with 8 balls to spare at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland. Despite a poor start from Washington Freedom in the huge run chase, Smith and Gous combined to pull off the biggest successful chase in the history of the shortest format.

In pursuit of the 267-run target, Washington Freedom got off to a shaky start as they lost their opener Mitchell Owen (1) and Rachin Ravindra (6) in quick succession in the Powerplay. Smith and Gous then joined hands to spark a remarkable turnaround with a magnificent 241-run stand for the 4th wicket.

Smith’s 48-ball 110 was laced with nine sixes and seven fours as he remained unbeaten till the end to help his team get over the line comfortably. Gous, on the other hand, smashed 12 sixes and ten fours en route to his blazing 132-run knock. The duo took the MI New York bowlers to the cleaners, smashing them across all parts of the ground.

Absolute 𝐆𝐨𝐮𝐬bumps 🤩#MLC2026 #FreedomExpress #WFvMINY pic.twitter.com/UMPcVoqvJL

— Washington Freedom (@WSHFreedom) July 16, 2026

Centuries from Smith and Gous helped Washington Freedom nail down the target of 267 runs to break Punjab Kings’ record for the highest successful chase in T20 cricket. Punjab Kings chased down a target of 265 runs against the Delhi Capitals in Delhi in IPL 2026 earlier this year.

Punjab Kings bettered their own record of a 262-run chase, which came against the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024. Washington Freedom have now surpassed them on the elite list of teams with the highest successful chases in T20s to claim the elite record.

Washington Freedom – 270/4 (18.4 overs) beat MI New York by 6 wickets

Punjab Kings – 265/4 (18.5 overs) beat Delhi Capitals by 6 wickets

Punjab Kings – 262/2 (18.4 overs) beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 8 wickets

South Africa – 259/4 (18.5 overs) beat West Indies by 6 wickets

Brisbane Heat – 258/2 (19.5 overs) beat Perth Scorchers by 8 wickets

Earlier in the game, MI New York rode on Nicholas Pooran’s blazing 33-ball 106 and half-centuries from Quinton de Kock (51) and Kieron Pollard (64) to post a huge total of 266 runs on the board. However, the total didn’t prove enough as Smith and Gous went bonkers to help Washington Freedom pull off the most successful chase in MLC history.

Washington Freedom will now face San Francisco Unicorns in the Challenger for a spot in the final of the MLC 2026.