After breaking the record for the fastest century in Major League Cricket (MLC) history, MI New York skipper Nicholas Pooran may have been confident of beating Washington Freedom. When Pooran departed, MI New York were 183/3. In the remaining 8.2 overs, they lost six wickets and managed to add 83 more runs to the score. They couldn't build on the platform as Rachin Ravindra bagged a four-fer. But, MI New York still had 266/9 on the board. No team had chased down a target of 267 in T20 history. But, a missed run out chance and dropped catches resulted in Steve Smith and Andries Gous gaining confidence, going on to score centuries. As Washington Freedom finished the run chase in the penultimate over, MI New York skipper Pooran was heartbroken to be knocked out of the tournament.
“Honestly, it doesn't matter when you lose the game. It's a tough one to swallow,” Pooran said about his 33-ball 106 in the post-match presentation.
Pooran blamed missed run out and dropped chances for the defeat. He believes that the entire team needs to take the responsibility for the loss.
“Dropped a few chances and missed a run-out there, quality players, and it's definitely gonna hurt us here in Oakland. Obviously, a good wicket, small venue, dew around. Need to take our chances and that's the most disappointing part for us, and we all have to take responsibility for that,” the former West Indies cricketer said.
Pooran hit a hat-trick of sixes twice in his knock. He reached his century from just 31 balls. The southpaw smashed 13 sixes and five fours in his fifth T20 century. Also, he became the third West Indies cricketer to complete 11,000 runs in T20 cricket after Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard.
Records broken in Oakland run-fest
Later, Smith and Gous shared a 241-run partnership for the third wicket, the highest in franchise T20 cricket. Washington Freedom broke the record for the highest successful run chase in T20 history. Gous scored 51-ball 132, the first American to achieve the feat in MLC. Smith reached his ton from 40 balls, his fastest in T20 career. From 48 balls, he scored 110 runs including nine sixes and seven fours. A total of 51 sixes were hit in the match, the highest in T20 cricket as well.