Faf du Plessis delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a brilliant 100 off 58 balls to propel the Texas Super Kings to a formidable 203/5 in their allotted 20 overs. However, Washington Freedom showed determination in their chase, racing to 62/0 in just four overs before rain intervened, resulting in the match being abandoned and both teams sharing the points.
Following a defeat to the LA Knight Riders just two days earlier, the Super Kings made a commanding start in their second match. Du Plessis and Devon Conway put together an impressive 109-run partnership for the first wicket in only 10.2 overs. Although Aaron Hardie was quickly dismissed as the second wicket, Marcus Stoinis joined du Plessis and contributed a quickfire 29 off 18 balls. Du Plessis was eventually dismissed in the 19th over, but the Super Kings managed to add 60 runs in the last 30 balls, reaching the season's first 200-plus total. Marco Jansen bore the brunt of du Plessis' onslaught during both the PowerPlay and the death overs, with the South African veteran hitting 12 fours and five sixes.
Travis Head and Steve Smith rose to the challenge of the chase, showing their aggressive intent early on. In the second over, bowled by Naveen ul Haq, they combined to score 17 runs. Smith was particularly aggressive in the initial overs, while Head got a lucky break when Dwayne Bravo dropped an easy catch at mid-on. Head capitalised on this reprieve by attacking Hardie in the fourth over, hitting two fours and two sixes over deep square leg. However, rain interrupted the match just one delivery into the fifth over, with only a no-ball bowled, and did not let up, leading to the match being called off and the teams each receiving a point.
Brief Scores
Texas Super Kings 203/5 in 20 overs (Faf du Plessis 100, Devon Conway 39; Saurabh Netravalkar 2-33) vs Washington Freedom 62/0 in 4 overs (Travis Head 32, Steve Smith 26). No result due to rain.