The 13th match of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 at the Oakland Coliseum delivered an absolute classic on June 27, 2026. In a game that will go down in cricket folklore, Washington Freedom clinched a breathtaking one-wicket victory off the final ball of the match against Texas Super Kings (TSK), rendering a spectacular late-game hat-trick completely futile.
Nikhil Chaudhary guides Washington Freedom to victory as Akeal Hosein’s hat-trick proves futile
Chasing a demanding target of 186, Washington Freedom looked heavily favored before running into a chaotic final over bowled by Akeal Hosein. With Washington needing just 6 runs off the final 6 balls, Hosein produced a legendary bowling sequence that nearly pulled off a miracle for Texas.
After a dot ball on the first delivery, Hosein sent shockwaves through the stadium. On 19.2, he removed Marco Jansen (9), who holed out to deep square leg. The very next ball, Amila Aponso went for a glory shot and was caught at deep square. With tension peaking, Hosein deceived Asif Mehmood on 19.4, resulting in a sharp stumping by Saiteja Mukkamalla.
Hosein had secured a sensational hat-trick, shifting the score from 180/6 to 180/9 in three deliveries. However, Nikhil Chaudhary remained stranded at the non-striker’s end, watching the collapse. After Lockie Ferguson scrambled a leg bye on the fifth ball, Chaudhary finally got his chance with 5 runs needed off the ultimate delivery. Showing nerves of steel, Chaudhary smashed a looped-up delivery from Hosein flat over midwicket for a massive six, triggering wild celebrations in the Washington dugout.
Here’s the video:
YOU CAN’T ASK FOR A BETTER MATCH ENDING ‼️ Things looked bleak for the Washington Freedom after Akeal Hosein got the first hat trick in MLC history, but rookie Nikhil Chaudhary proved his mettled and took WF over the line for a last-ball thriller win—and all on his debut. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/er8Qp3zoPe
— Cognizant Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) June 28, 2026
Washington Freedom edge past TSK in MLC 2026
Earlier in the day, the Texas Super Kings posted a formidable 185/4 after being put into bat. Skipper Faf du Plessis fell early for just 8, but a stable top-order rebuilding act by Mukkamalla (37) and Rilee Rossouw (34) set the baseline. The real fireworks came from the lower-middle order, as Wiaan Mulder (43* off 20) and Donovan Ferreira (44* off 20) combined for an unbeaten 75-run partnership, punishing the Washington bowlers in the death overs. Chaudhary was the pick of Freedom’s bowlers, returning highly disciplined figures of 2/29 across his 4 overs.
In response, Washington’s chase got off to a flying start. Mitchell Owen blasted a sensational 77 off just 35 balls, including 6 sixes, alongside a steady 30 from captain Steven Smith. Their opening stand of 91 runs inside 8 overs put Freedom in a commanding position.
Despite a middle-order stutter against the TSK bowling unit, spearheaded by Hosein’s final over heroism (4/36) and Adam Milne‘s tight 2/31—Chaudhary’s calculated composure proved to be the ultimate difference. Scoring an unbeaten 27* off 19 balls to accompany his two wickets, Chaudhary was rightfully awarded the Player of the Match.
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