Washington Freedom go down to Texas Super Kings in rain-marred game

Reigning champions Washington Freedom’s six-match winning streak came to an end in the ongoing Cognizant Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 with a 43-run defeat against the Texas Super Kings in a rain-affected clash at the Broward County Stadium in Florida, on Wednesday.

Put in to bat, the Super Kings posted 87/2 after the match was reduced to a five-overs-a-side game due to rain interruptions.

In reply, the Freedom batters lost wickets at crucial intervals and could only manage 44/4 in their five overs.

Earlier, after a brief delay due to rain, Washington Freedom captain Glenn Maxwell won the toss and opted to field. Rain once again delayed the start of the match, and it was later reduced to a five-over-a-side contest.

Star left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar struck early, dismissing TSK stand-in captain Marcus Stoinis off the second ball of their innings.

TSK opener Daryl Mitchell, who was struggling with his timing, decided to retire out at the end of the third over.

Despite the best efforts from our bowlers in the remaining overs, TSK rode on unbeaten cameos from Shubham Ranjane (39) and Donovan Ferreira (37) to post 87/2 in their five overs.

Chasing a steep target, Rachin Ravindra slammed Nandre Burger for a four and followed it up with a maximum, before the southpaw and captain Maxwell fell on consecutive deliveries in the opening over.

In-form Mitchell Owen clobbered Akeal Hosein for a first-ball six but was dismissed in the second over.

At the other end, Glenn Phillips hammered Noor Ahmad for back-to-back fours and later smashed Hosein for a maximum. However, we suffered another blow as wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous was dismissed in the final over, and we eventually succumbed to a 43-run loss.

Despite the defeat, we have already qualified for the MLC 2025 Playoffs and currently sit third in the standings with 12 points from eight games.

Our boys will aim to bounce back quickly against the Seattle Orcas in Lauderhill, Florida, on Friday.Texas Super Kings vs Washington Freedom, MLC 2025, brief scores: TSK 87/2 in 5 overs (Shubham Ranjane 39 not out, Donovan Ferreira 37 not out; Saurabh Netravalkar 1/30) beat WF 44/4 in 5 overs (Glenn Phillips 18 not out, Rachin Ravindra 10; Nandre Burger 2/12) by 43 runs.