Washington Freedom signed off the league stage in style, defeating MI New York by five wickets at Grand Prairie Stadium. Chasing 188, a match-winning partnership between Andries Gous and Rachin Ravindra powered us to 190/5 with nine balls to spare, ensuring Freedom head into the playoffs on the back of consecutive victories.

After opting to bowl, Freedom made an encouraging start by reducing MI New York to 42/2 in the Powerplay. Nicholas Pooran then turned the tide with a breathtaking innings of 86 from just 44 deliveries, taking the attack to our bowlers and lifting his side towards a challenging total. Despite his assault, Freedom responded well at the death, striking regularly and restricting MI New York to 187/8.

Our chase also began with early setbacks as we slipped to 44/2 in the Powerplay. Gous and Ravindra, however, produced the partnership that defined the evening. The duo counterattacked from the outset, adding their first 50 runs in just 31 deliveries before extending their stand beyond the hundred-run mark to put Freedom firmly in control.

Ravindra continued his impressive start in Freedom colours with a sparkling 59 from only 27 deliveries, while Gous anchored the chase with one of his finest innings of the season. After reaching his half-century from 38 deliveries, the wicketkeeper-batter shifted through the gears spectacularly, finishing on 96 from just 54 balls, including four fours and eight sixes, falling just four runs short of a deserved century.

Freedom crossed the target with nine balls remaining to complete a comprehensive five-wicket victory and finish the league stage with six wins from ten matches.

The result provides the ideal platform heading into the playoffs. With confidence building at exactly the right time, Freedom now turn their attention to the knockout stage in pursuit of the Major League Cricket title.