It was a day when records tumbled, milestones were achieved and boundaries flowed at will, but in the end, Washington Freedom walked away with the points after defeating MI New York by 30 runs in one of the highest-scoring games of the 2026 Major League Cricket season.The match had everything. Kieron Pollard became the highest run-scorer in T20 cricket history, overtaking fellow West Indies legend Chris Gayle, while Mitchell Owen came within touching distance of Gayle’s record for the highest individual score in a T20 innings.Yet despite Pollard’s historic century, MI New York were unable to chase down Washington Freedom’s daunting total of 245/5.
Mitchell Owen produces an innings for the ages
After MI New York won the toss and chose to bowl, Washington Freedom unleashed a batting masterclass led by Mitchell Owen. The Australian opener tore into the bowling attack from the outset, smashing 155 off just 68 deliveries. His breathtaking innings featured 11 fours and 13 sixes and left him only a few runs short of Chris Gayle’s iconic unbeaten 175, the highest individual score in T20 cricket.While Owen dominated proceedings, Steve Smith played the supporting role with 27 off 21 balls before Mark Chapman added late momentum with a brisk 23 from 12 deliveries. MI New York’s bowlers had few answers. Corbin Bosch was the lone bright spot with figures of 1/41, while Trent Boult endured a difficult evening, conceding 50 runs in his four wicketless overs.
Pollard scripts history
The chase could hardly have started worse for MI New York. Glenn Maxwell produced a stunning direct-hit run out to remove Quinton de Kock for a duck in the opening over. Nicholas Pooran and Monank Patel soon followed, leaving MI New York struggling at 34/3. With the required rate soaring, Pollard stepped up.The veteran all-rounder rolled back the years with a sensational hundred off 56 balls, launching a fierce counterattack against the Freedom bowlers. During the innings, Pollard surpassed Chris Gayle’s tally of 14,562 runs to become the leading run-scorer in T20 cricket history.The landmark was a fitting reward for one of the format’s greatest servants. Unlike many prolific T20 batters who spent most of their careers in the top order, Pollard built his reputation as a finisher, often batting at No. 6 or No. 7 and being asked to deliver quick runs under pressure.Corbin Bosch chipped in with a rapid 35 off 14 balls, while Romario Shepherd added 26, but the damage inflicted by the early collapse proved too much to overcome.