Over 17. 4 runs. Bowler: Ali Khan. Washington Freedom: 4-106(rr 6.24) A length ball on off stump with no movement, the batter steers it cleverly along the ground for a quick single, fielded swiftly at third man. Washington Freedom need 3 runs from 18 balls, holding six wickets with the chase well within reach.
Lahiru Milantha attempts a pull off a length ball on leg stump but only manages an inside edge that is comfortably gathered by the fielder at extra cover, resulting in no run.
Over 16. 6 runs. Bowler: Shadley van Schalkwyk. Washington Freedom: 4-102(rr 6.38) The batter attempts a drive but only manages an inside edge. The ball sneaks through and rattles the stumps—Nikhil Chaudhary is bowled for 15. Washington Freedom lose a wicket as they need 7 runs from 24 balls with 6 wickets in hand, the chase still steady but chancy.
Shadley van Schalkwyk bowls a back of a length delivery outside off stump, and Nikhil Chaudhary rides it off the back foot with a well-timed pull for a quick two runs down the leg side.
An off cutter on a length outside off stump, Smith leans into a controlled drive and nudges the ball away for a single. Washington Freedom reach 100 for 3.
Over 15. 9 runs. Bowler: Ali Khan. Washington Freedom: 3-96(rr 6.4) The reverse inswinger from Ali Khan is pushed neatly outside off by Nikhil Chaudhary, guiding it just past the infield for a well-taken single. Washington Freedom require 13 runs from 30 balls with seven wickets in hand, comfortably poised in the chase.
The bowler sends down a full-length ball on middle stump with no movement. Nikhil Chaudhary flicks it crisply, timing the shot perfectly. The ball races away through deep square leg for a flowing boundary.
Over 14. 8 runs. Bowler: Andre Russell. Washington Freedom: 3-87(rr 6.21) Andre Russell bowls a full-length delivery outside off, and Nikhil Chaudhary plays a controlled, albeit mis-timed drive that races away for three runs to deep extra cover. Washington Freedom need 22 from 36 with seven wickets left, holding an excellent 99% chance to win according to WinViz.
Steve Smith leans into a no-movement length ball outside off stump and drives with a thick edge, picking up two runs towards deep backward point. Smith has now reached thirty runs off 36 balls, maintaining a steady strike rate of 86.
Russell bowls a length ball on the outside off, and Smith plays a controlled drive straight to the cover fielder, who collects it cleanly. No run comes off this delivery.
Andre Russell bowls an off cutter outside off on a back of a length. The batter attempts a slog but misses entirely, and the ball is comfortably gathered by the wicketkeeper.
