Watch: Steve Smith's maiden MLC century powers Washington Freedom to highest successful run chase in T20 history

Legendary Australian batter Steve Smith produced a sensational performance to lead Washington Freedom to a record-breaking victory over defending champions MI New York in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 Eliminator at the Oakland Coliseum. Chasing a massive target, Smith anchored the innings with his first-ever MLC century and guided his team to one of the greatest run chases in T20 history.

Smith reached his maiden MLC hundred in just 40 balls as records tumbled in a high-scoring contest. His brilliant knock came under pressure and kept Washington Freedom ahead of the required run rate throughout the chase. The Australian captain's innings proved to be the difference as Freedom stayed on course despite the huge target.

Washington Freedom chased down 267 runs in only 18.4 overs to win by six wickets with eight balls remaining. The successful chase is now the highest in men's T20 history, surpassing Punjab Kings' 265-run chase achieved earlier this year. The historic victory also knocked defending champions MI New York out of the tournament and sent Washington Freedom into the next stage of the MLC 2026 playoffs.

Watch Steve Smith's legendary performance here:

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Steve Smith added another milestone to his remarkable career by scoring the fastest century of his career in any format. The Australian opener remained unbeaten on 110 off just 48 balls, including seven fours and nine sixes, as Washington Freedom chased down a record target against MI New York. The Eliminator was also a rematch of last year's MLC final, which MI New York had won.

Smith reached his maiden MLC century in only 40 balls, leading the Ricky Ponting-coached Washington Freedom to a famous victory. Freedom chased down 267 runs in just 18.4 overs, finishing on 270/4 with eight balls to spare at the Oakland Coliseum. The historic chase became the highest successful run chase in men's T20 history.

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Smith also shared a record-breaking partnership with American wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous, who smashed 132 off 51 balls. The duo added the highest third-wicket partnership in T20 history and the second-highest stand for any wicket in the format. The stunning performance further strengthened Smith's reputation as one of cricket's greatest batters and boosted his hopes of featuring for Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Washington Freedom chase down the impossible in MLC 2026's biggest run chase ever

Washington Freedom made a poor start to their record chase, slipping to 10/2 inside the first two overs. Mitchell Owen and Rachin Ravindra were dismissed cheaply, leaving the team under pressure while chasing the biggest target in Major League Cricket history. However, captain Steve Smith and Andries Gous quickly turned the match around with a remarkable counterattack.

Gous produced a historic knock, becoming the first American batter to score a century in Major League Cricket. He smashed 132 off just 51 balls, while Smith remained unbeaten on 110 off 48 deliveries to register his maiden MLC century. Their record-breaking partnership completely shifted the momentum in Washington Freedom's favour.

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Washington Freedom finished on 270/4 in only 18.4 overs to complete the highest successful run chase in both MLC and men's T20 history. The thrilling contest also featured 51 sixes, with MI New York hitting 29 and Washington Freedom adding 22. The chase surpassed Punjab Kings' successful chase of 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, making it the greatest run chase ever seen in men's T20 cricket.

List of highest successful run chases in Men's T20 cricket:

Full Highlights: How Smith's maiden century sealed Cricket's highest-ever successful chase

Washington Freedom looked in trouble after losing Mitchell Owen (1) and Rachin Ravindra (6) with just 10 runs on the board. However, Steve Smith and Andries Gous produced one of the greatest partnerships in T20 history to rescue the chase. Gous smashed 132 off 51 balls to become the first domestic player to score a century in Major League Cricket, while Smith remained unbeaten on 110 off 48 balls. Their 241-run stand for the third wicket completely changed the game after the early collapse.

Smith's unbeaten 110 was his seventh T20 century and the fastest hundred of his career, coming off just 40 balls. Glenn Maxwell finished the chase in style by smashing a six as Washington Freedom reached 270/4 in just 18.4 overs. Earlier, MI New York had posted 266/9 thanks to Nicholas Pooran's stunning 106 off 33 balls and Kieron Pollard's 64 off 25. It was also the first time in men's T20 history that three batters scored centuries in the same match, while a record 51 sixes were hit during the contest.

Washington Freedom's remarkable win booked their place in the MLC 2026 Challenger against San Francisco Unicorns, with the winner advancing to the final against Los Angeles Knight Riders. The match will be remembered as one of the greatest T20 games ever played, featuring the highest successful run chase in men's T20 history, three centuries, and countless records.

Brief Scorecard: 

MI New York 266/9 (20 overs) - Nicholas Pooran 106 (33), Kieron Pollard 64 (25), Quinton de Kock 51 (24); Rachin Ravindra 4/29, Ben Dwarshuis 2/42. 

Washington Freedom 270/4 (18.4 overs) - Andries Gous 132 (51), Steve Smith 110* (48), Glenn Maxwell 7* (2); Shakib Al Hasan 2/34, Rushil Ugarkar 1/51. 

Result: Washington Freedom won by six wickets with eight balls to spare.