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Major League Cricket's high-scoring Eliminator between MI New York and Washington Freedom produced not only a record-breaking run chase but also a tense moment between Kieron Pollard and Steve Smith. The two experienced campaigners exchanged words during Washington Freedom's successful pursuit of 267 at the Oakland Coliseum, with Kieron Pollard visibly frustrated after conceding another expensive over.
The incident came during a match that rewrote several T20 records, as Washington Freedom completed the highest successful chase in the format's history to eliminate MI New York and book their place in Qualifier 2.
Kieron Pollard and Steve Smith involved in heated on-field exchange: Watch
The flashpoint occurred on the final ball of the 14th over when Kieron Pollard, who had returned to bowl despite carrying tape on his little finger after dislocating it earlier, delivered a slower short-of-a-length ball outside off stump.
Steve Smith attempted a pull shot but only managed an inside edge back towards the bowler. Kieron Pollard quickly collected the ball and threw it in Smith's direction as the Australian batter stood in his crease. The throw sailed over Smith's head towards the wicketkeeper, prompting a brief verbal exchange between the two players.
While Steve Smith was seen smiling throughout the incident, Kieron Pollard appeared visibly animated after an over that had gone against him.
The frustration was understandable considering what had unfolded earlier in the over. Smith had launched Kieron Pollard for a straight six off the opening delivery before Andries Gous added another maximum three balls later. Smith then cleared deep extra cover for yet another six before the exchange on the final ball capped an eventful over.
Kieron Pollard vs Steve Smith | Polly wanted the smoke 😳💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/A55cPRhDaT
— That's Cricket (@thatscricketjm) July 16, 2026
Washington Freedom chase 267, thanks to Steve Smith and Andries Gous
Earlier in the evening, MI New York piled up 266 for 9 after Nicholas Pooran produced one of the finest innings in franchise T20 cricket. The left-hander smashed 106 off just 33 balls, reaching his century in only 31 deliveries, the second-fastest hundred in franchise T20 history behind Chris Gayle's 30-ball effort in the IPL.
Despite the daunting target, Washington Freedom responded with an extraordinary batting display. After early wickets threatened to derail the chase, Steve Smith and wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous completely shifted the momentum with an unbeaten 241-run partnership for the third wicket.
Gous starred with a breathtaking 132, while Smith remained unbeaten on 110 as the pair guided Washington Freedom to 270 for 4 with several deliveries to spare. Their stand completely dismantled MI New York's bowling attack and secured one of the greatest run chases ever witnessed in T20 cricket.
The victory also kept Washington Freedom's title hopes alive as they advanced to the next stage of the playoffs.
List of records shattered and created after Washington Freedom's historic run chase
The Eliminator produced a remarkable list of records across both innings. Washington Freedom's successful chase of 267 is now the highest successful run chase in T20 history, surpassing Punjab Kings' chase of 265 against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026.
The match also witnessed 51 sixes, the most ever hit in a T20 match and the first time two teams have combined for more than 50 maximums. MI New York contributed 29 sixes, the highest by a team in an MLC innings, while Washington Freedom struck another 22.
Freedom's total of 270 for 4 became the highest team score in Major League Cricket history, eclipsing the previous record of 269.
The combined match aggregate of 536 runs is the second-highest in all T20 cricket, behind only the 549-run contest between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024. For the first time in T20 history, three different batters scored centuries in the same match.
There were individual milestones as well. Gous became the first USA batter to score a century in Major League Cricket, while Pollard reached another landmark by becoming only the second batter after Chris Gayle to hit 1,000 sixes in recognised T20 cricket.
