In an exciting WAF vs LAKR contest in the current MLC 2025 season, Glenn Maxwell came up with one of the most devastating innings in Major League Cricket history, hammering an unbeaten 106 off a mere 49 balls to lead Washington Freedom to a comprehensive 113-run win over Los Angeles Knight Riders.
Maxwell’s Masterclass: 106* Off 49 Lifts WAF from Collapse
Arriving on 68 for 4, Maxwell stepped into a vulnerable position for Washington Freedom. A masterclass in counter-attacking then followed as he played an innings of unbridled beauty. Blasting 13 sixes and 2 fours, Australian all-rounder scored his eighth T20 century to take Freedom to a towering total of 208 for 5.
His knock, the seventh century of MLC history, flipped the game on its head. Support acts by Mark Chapman (17 off 21) and Obus Pienaar (14* off 15) provided Maxwell with the platform to let go, particularly in the last 10 overs when Freedom amassed 124 runs, tipping the scales firmly.
LAKR’s Nightmare Chase: Bowled Out for 95
The chase by the LA Knight Riders was downhill from the very beginning. In a surprise exhibition, their top order collapsed, with Alex Hales, Sunil Narine, and Unmukt Chand all getting out for ducks. This was only the fourth time in franchise T20 history that all the top three batsmen got out without scoring.
Washington Freedom bowlers made full use of the advantage. Mitchell Owen, who had earlier destroyed 32 off 11, performed wonders with the ball too, taking three wickets to destroy LAKR’s middle order.
Key wickets were provided by Jack Edwards too, in the form of Rovman Powell and Jason Holder, to extinguish hopes of a revival. Saurabh Netravalkar made the first and final strikes, wrapping up the innings in the 17th over.
Scorecard Snapshot – WAF vs LAKR, MLC 2025
Washington Freedom: 208/5 in 20 overs
Glenn Maxwell: 106* (49), 13×6, 2×4
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Mitchell Owen: 32 (11)
Los Angeles Knight Riders: 95 all out in 16.5 overs
Saif Badar: 32, Jason Holder: 23
Mitchell Owen: 3 wickets
Jack Edwards: 3 wickets
Saurabh Netravalkar: 2 wickets
Points Table Update – MLC 2025
With their second victory in three matches, Washington Freedom (WAF) is now in third position on the MLC 2025 points table, cementing their playoff aspirations. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) are still winless from three games, bottoming out at fifth place, just remaining above the basement on the strength of net run rate.
This WAF vs LAKR encounter showcased not only the genius of Glenn Maxwell but also Washington Freedom’s emerging power in the MLC 2025. While LAKR finds it hard to adapt, Freedom appears set to make the top teams scramble. With performances like these, MLC 2025 is turning out to be a tournament replete with surprises, dominance, and explosive cricketing fare.
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