LAKR won the first MLC title and left Shah Rukh Khan ecstatic. Here is what he said

Owner Shah Rukh Khan was ecstatic as the Los Angeles Knight Riders overcame the Washington Freedom in a thriller to win their first Major League Cricket title on Saturday (July 18). LAKR won the match by just one run in the photo finish as Shadley van Schalkwyk managed to defend 14 runs in the final over.

It was the 10th title to come to the Knight Riders family as their teams have won three IPL, five CPL and one WCPL title over the years. A proud man after the win, Shah Rukh congratulated his X side after their performance.

MLC: FULL COVERAGE

The Knight Riders owner gave a special shout out to Sunil Narine, Jason Holder and Andre Russell for their role in the title win.

“LAKR Stadium. Championship.cricket in America.amazing @SunilPNarine74 @Jaseholder98 @Russell12A and the whole team. Absolutely outstanding. You all said we are here to win not just participate. And you showed it. I love you all. Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo!” said Shah Rukh on X. (Credit: Shah Rukh Khan X)

HOW WAS THE MATCH GOING?

Sunil Narine and Jason Holder combined to create an unforgettable triumph as the Los Angeles Knight Riders edged the Washington Freedom by one run to win their first Major League Cricket title at the Oakland Coliseum.

With over 1,000 T20 wickets between them, the experienced duo have delivered when it mattered most. Narine tore through the top order while Holder dominated the middle overs before the Knight Riders survived a thrilling scare in the final to successfully defend 164. The win also ended MI New York and Washington Freedom’s title monopoly, making LAKR the third franchise to lift the MLC trophy.

Washington’s chase stumbled early when Narine dismissed Mitchell Owen for the third session in a row before Rachin Ravindra and Steve Smith were removed, reducing the Freedom to 29/3. Andries Gous steadied the innings alongside Nikhil Chaudhary with 65 runs, but Holder shifted the momentum again by dismissing Chaudhary – his 400th T20 wicket – and Ben Dwarshuis in the same over. Holder then removed the dangerous Gouse, leaving Freedom with a mountain to climb.

Obus Pienaar almost turned the final on its head with a sensational 24-ball 53. His late strike reduced the target from 63 off 30 to just 14 off the final over and the first ball six piled the pressure on LAKR. But Shadley van Schalkwyk responded by yorking Pienaar before Ian Holland also fell. Lockie Ferguson kept Freedom alive with a boundary, leaving two needed off the last ball, but Lahiru Milantha tried to win as the Knight Riders sealed a dramatic one-run win.

Earlier, it looked like LAKR would be much bigger as Colin Munro and Andre Fletcher added 54 in the Powerplay. Munro and Matthew Tromp powered the side to 101/2 after 10 overs, but Washington hit back with a double-wicket run of overs. Nikhil Chaudhary dismissed Fletcher and Andre Russell, Ravindra removed Munro and Narine while Ben Dwarshuis accounted for Tromp, Rovman Powell and Holder to derail the innings. Owen was run out at the end as LAKR were bowled out for 164, which eventually proved to be enough thanks to the efforts of their bowlers to clinch the title.

– The end

Published on:

19 Jul 2026 13:00 IST