In a match that will be etched into Major League Cricket (MLC) folklore, Glenn Maxwell‘s colossal six propelled the Washington Freedom to a thrilling seven-wicket victory over the San Francisco Unicorns in Qualifier of the MLC 2024. Chasing a modest 146, Freedom were in trouble at 64/3 before Maxwell unleashed his power-hitting prowess to turn the game on its head.
San Francisco Unicorns have a stick
Batting first, the San Francisco Unicorns posted a competitive total of 145 runs in their allotted 19 overs. Hassan Khan, the tournament’s standout bowler, once again showcased his talent with a quickfire 57. However, the Unicorns’ innings was derailed by a brilliant spell from Rachin Ravindra, who claimed four wickets for just 11 runs to stifle the Unicorns’ momentum. Marco Jansen also chipped in with three wickets as the Freedom bowlers kept a tight leash on the Unicorns’ batting.
Glenn Maxwell’s masterclass
With the bat, Washington Freedom were off to a shaky start, losing their top three batters cheaply. The pressure was mounting on the Freedom, but then, Maxwell arrived at the crease. The Australian maverick wasted no time in asserting his dominance, launching into the Unicorns’ bowlers with reckless abandon.
The highlight of the innings, and perhaps the entire tournament so far, came when Maxwell deposited a Hassan delivery into orbit during the 15th over. The ball cleared the boundary with disdain, going a staggering 103 meters away. The crowd at the Grand Prairie Stadium was left in awe as they witnessed a shot that will be replayed for years to come.
Here’s the video:
A Monster @nttdata Six sent into the crowd by the Big Show, Glenn Maxwell ☄️#MLC2024 | #NTTData | #CognizantMajorLeagueCricket | #T20 | #SFUvWF pic.twitter.com/mYlRKlnQSP
— Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 26, 2024
Maxwell’s brutal hitting took the game away from the Unicorns. He raced to a fifty, providing the much-needed impetus to the Freedom chase. With Travis Head providing steady support, the duo ensured that Washington Freedom crossed the line with seven wickets in hand and three balls to spare.
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Washington Freedom advance to the Final
The victory propels Washington Freedom into the final of the MLC 2024. They will be brimming with confidence after Maxwell’s match-winning heroics. On the other hand, the San Francisco Unicorns will be disappointed to miss out on the final, but they can take solace from their impressive performance throughout the tournament.
Hassan, despite conceding the longest six of the tournament, has been a revelation and will undoubtedly be a key player for the Unicorns in the future. The final promises to be a blockbuster clash and cricket fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating the showdown between the two best teams in the tournament.
