MLC 2025
Winning eight out of their last nine games, Freedom will start as favourites against Texas Super Kings © MLC
Purely going by momentum, Washington Freedom are the outright favourites to reach their second successive MLC final. They have literally lost just two matches in the competition so far, with one of them coming in the tournament opener. So when you narrow it down further, Freedom have won 8 out of their last 9 games in the tournament heading into the qualifier. However, games are not always won on paper and that only other loss for Freedom came against the same team that will be standing between them and the summit clash.
Texas Super Kings absolutely toyed with Freedom in the five-over contest just last week. But given the nature of that encounter, Freedom shouldn’t take too many things out of the result. Despite not topping the run charts, Freedom have consistently found different matchwinners throughout the tournament to finish the league stages on top of the table. Mitchell Owen has contributed with both bat and ball and the likes of Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Maxwell have chipped in as well.
TSK on their part have had a very good campaign too. Faf du Plessis has led from the front with the bat and his countryman Donovan Ferreira has consistently made some stunning contributions at the death. In the bowling department, Akeal Hosein’s entry has helped them big time and Adam Milne has shown that he has enough in his arsenal to make sure they don’t miss Burger. Can TSK’s bowlers stop Freedom though at a venue where even 220 was not enough for them just a few days ago against the same opposition?
When: July 8, 2025 at 7 PM local time (July 5:30 AM IST)
Where: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas
What to expect: The caravan returns to Dallas again for the playoffs and that means high scores could be in the offing again. When these two sides met here the last time, Freedom managed to chase down a target of 221.
Team News
Washington Freedom
Mark Chapman might make way for Lockie Ferguson in this crucial fixture given it’s expected to be a batting friendly venue.
Probable XI: Mitchell Owen, Rachin Ravindra, Andries Gous (wk), Jack Edwards, Glenn Maxwell (c), Glenn Phillips, Obus Pienaar, Mukhtar Ahmed, Ian Holland, Saurabh Netravalkar, Lockie Ferguson
Texas Super Kings
Adam Milne did a terrific job coming in place of Nandre Burger and TSK would most likely stick to the XI they picked in the last game.
Probable XI: Smit Patel (wk), Faf du Plessis (c), Saiteja Mukkamalla, Marcus Stoinis, Shubham Ranjane, Donovan Ferreira, Calvin Savage, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Zia-ul-Haq, Adam Milne
© Cricbuzz
