Punjab Kings' world record falls as Steve Smith leads record-breaking T20 run chase in MLC

Steve Smith and Andries Gous put up a significant partnership to help the Washington Freedom secure a major record during the chase against MI New York in the MLC 2026 playoffs.

Steve Smith helped the Washington Freedom advance into the second MLC knockouts match after defeating MI New York in the eliminator. Image: Screengrab/X

FirstCricket Staff|Jul 16, 2026, 14:36:45 IST

Steve Smith helped the Washington Freedom make history in T20 cricket, anchoring a record-setting run chase against MI New York during the Major League Cricket (MLC) eliminator match in Oakland on Wednesday.

In IPL 2026, the Punjab Kings made history during a run chase against the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. But the unthinkable record was finally broken in MLC 2026.

Smith helps Washington Freedom break huge record

After Nicholas Pooran scored the fastest hundred in MLC to help MI NY post 266/9, Freedom took charge with a smashing third-wicket partnership with Smith and Andries Gous, scoring 241 runs in just 89 deliveries.

The Aussie cricketer scored an unbeaten 110 off 48 deliveries, and wicketkeeper-batter Gous scored a 51-ball 132, smashing ten boundaries and 12 sixes and was named the Player of the Match for his batting heroics.

How did PBKS secure the record chase in IPL?

In the DC vs PBKS clash, KL Rahul's batting heroics were overshadowed by the Punjab batters chasing down the target to seal a six-wicket victory. The batter's clinical contribution helped them score 265 runs in the second innings against the Capitals, making history.

KL Rahul produced a spectacular batting display, scoring an unbeaten 152 off 67 deliveries. But his batting heroics were overshadowed by PBKS, as the batters chased down the target with seven balls to spare.

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Notably, PBKS had broken the record for the highest successful run chases in T20 cricket. In IPL 2024, they had scored 262 dueing during the chase against the Kolkata Knight Riders and went on to break their own record in the 2026 season.

The Washington Freedom will face off against the San Francisco Unicorns in the MLC 2026 playoffs, and the winner will advance to the final, where they will face the LA Knight Riders at the Oakland Coliseum.

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