Texas Super Kings leapfrogged Washington Freedom into second place in the Major League Cricket standings with a 43-run victory over the defending champions.
In a rain-affected meeting in Lauderhill, Donovan Ferreira struck an unbeaten nine-ball 37, including hitting Mitch Owen for three consecutive sixes, as Super Kings posted an imposing 87-2 from their five overs.
South Africa international Ferreira shared a 53-run third-wicket stand off 12 balls with Shubham Ranjane (39 not out off 14) after Super Kings lost captain Marcus Stoinis inside two balls and retired Daryl Mitchell out at the end of the third over.
Washington Freedom’s chase of 88 never gained momentum, with Nandre Burger striking twice in the first over to remove Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Maxwell before Akeal Hosein dismissed Owen in the second.
Glenn Phillips’ unbeaten 18 (11) was the top score as Freedom posted 44-4.
San Francisco Unicorns, Texas Super Kings, and Washington Freedom, who each have two group matches remaining, are level on 12 points and separated only by net run rate.
Seattle Orcas (six points) occupy the final playoff spot and are four points clear of MI New York and Los Angeles Knight Riders.