MLC 2023: Bravo’s knock goes in vain as TSK fall short of target set by Freedom
Bravo’s fighting knock goes in vain as Super King lost the match by six runs
It was the battle of the two unbeaten teams in the MLC as the Texas Super Kings took on Washington Freedom. Both teams went into the match unchanged having started the tournament on a winning note.
Batting first Washington freedom got off to a flyer as the opening pair of Mathew shot and Andries Gous added 30 runs for the first wicket in 3.1 overs before Gous got out to Coetzee.
Mathew Shot continued the good form he had shown in BBL earlier this year for the Adelaide Strikers and scored 80 runs off just 50 balls with the help of 10 fours and three sixes. He was ably supported by Mukhtar Ahmed who made a run a ball 20 and added crucial runs with Shot who was striking the ball superbly.
Collective Batting Effort
The partnership between the duo was looking threatening to take the game away from the Super Kings before Bravo came to bowl and picked up the wicket of Mukhtar Ahmed which was followed by the wicket of dangerous Glean Philips who was foxed by Mohsin.
Freedom needed a partnership badly and that is when the pair of Shot and Captain Henriques joined hands to stitch a much-needed partnership of 40 runs for the fifth wicket which helped Freedom to reach a total a competitive total of 163 for 5 at the end of 20 overs. Gerald Coetzee was the pick of the bowlers for the Super Kings as he picked up two wickets giving away just 26 runs in his 4 overs.
One Man Show
Chasing a target of 164 Super Kings lost both the openers in the powerplay. David Miller who was looking in good form departed after hitting a four and a six for 15. The Super Kings kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 78 for 6 after 14 overs.
That is when Bravo decided to take matters into his own hands and started hitting the ball out of the ground. He kept on fighting till the last over and muscled his way to a 39 ball 76 with the help of 5 fours and 6 sixes. Nut Bravo’s inning was not enough to take his side home as Freedom held their nerves to register a six-run win.
