Mitchell Owen smashes record 155 to down MI New York

Chris Gayle's 13-year-old T20 record score of 175* came under serious threat from Mitchell Owen, whose 68-ball 155, with 13 sixes and 11 fours, powered Washington Freedom to their first win of MLC 2026. Owen fell 20 runs short of the record, but his innings propelled Freedom to 245/5 – a total that proved beyond MI New York despite an unbeaten century from Kieron Pollard, who became the highest run-scorer in T20 cricket.

MI New York's decision to field first appeared justified, but Owen unleashed destruction. The Australian opener added 134 in 9.3 overs with Steve Smith (27 off 21).

Owen then added 82 with Mark Chapman (23 off 12). He needed 25 balls to reach fifty, 16 more for a hundred, and 19 to reach 150. Anything off line disappeared to the boundary.

Having eclipsed the previous MLC record of 151 (Finn Allen), Owen still had 20 balls remaining when Corbin Bosch produced a superb return catch to end the innings. MI New York conceded only 29 runs from the final 29 balls, keeping the target at 246.

The chase never got going. Glenn Maxwell removed Monank Patel in the first over, effected the run-out of Quinton de Kock, and dismissed Nicholas Pooran, leaving MI New York at 22/3. A fourth wicket before the Powerplay ended realistic hopes.

Pollard led resistance with a 70-run stand alongside Romario Shepherd. Bosch later hit an unbeaten 35 off 14 balls.

Pollard reached fifty off 32 balls and entered the final over on 87. He struck boundaries off the next two balls, then needed six off the final delivery for a century. He drilled Saurabh Netravalkar's full ball to long-on and sprinted back for two as Bosch dived to complete the run.

Brief scores: Washington Freedom 245/5 in 20 overs (Mitchell Owen 155; Rushil Ugarkar 1-38) beat MI New York 215/6 in 20 overs (Kieron Pollard 100*; Glenn Maxwell 2-37) by 30 runs.