[Watch] Glenn Maxwell misses switch-hit and gets cleaned up by Rashid Khan in MINY-WSF MLC 2024 clash
Washington Freedom (WSF) all-rounder Glenn Maxwell failed to execute a switch hit and got cleaned up by MI New York (MINY) spinner Rashid Khan in Dallas on Tuesday, July 16. The Aussie batter moved to 15 off 12 but looked out of sorts before the adventurous attempt.
Maxwell missed a switch hit in the first ball of the Rashid Khan over (16th of the innings) but did not relent in going for another in the following delivery. However, the ace Afghan spinner bowled a flatter and quicker delivery on off-stump to clean up Maxwell.
Here is a video clipping of the dismissal:
Despite Maxwell's painful innings, WSF produced an excellent batting display to post a massive 182/5 in 20 overs.
Travis Head got off to his customary fast start before finishing on 54 off 33 with the aid of nine boundaries and two maximums. The USA's Andries Gous ably supported him with a 48-ball 59 before late fireworks of 31 from 14 by Rachin Ravindra took WSF past the 180-run mark.
As for Rashid, he finished with slightly expensive figures of 2/39 in four overs but took his wicket tally for the tournament to six in four outings at an impressive average of 15.
Meanwhile, Maxwell has been in dismal form for WSF this season, averaging a mere 12.50 at a strike rate of 100 in five outings.
Rashid Khan's MINY suffer abysmal batting collapse to lose third straight game
Unfortunately for MINY, the Rashid Khan dismissal of Glenn Maxwell was one of the few shining moments in an otherwise sorry performance. Chasing 183, the defending champions were bowled out for a paltry 88 in the 14th over and were an embarrassing 25/6 at one stage.
Three WSF bowlers picked up two wickets each and USA's Jasdeep Singh led the way with three wickets.
The loss was MINY's third consecutive after winning their season opener, leaving them fifth on the points table with a lone win and a no-result in five games. Meanwhile, WSF continued their unbeaten run and became the first team to qualify for the playoffs with a fourth win in five matches (one no-result).
MINY are in a must-win situation and will take on San Francisco Unicorns in their next encounter on Thursday, July 18.
As for WSF, they will now look to seal a top-two spot when they play the Texas Super Kings (TSK) in their next fixture on Friday, July 19.