The first qualifier of Major League Cricket 2025, which was to be contested between Glenn Maxwell's Washington Freedom and Faf du Plessis' Texas Super Kings, ended in an unexpected twist.

Without a single ball being bowled, Washington Freedom directly advanced to the final.

However, the road to the final is still open for Texas Super Kings, who now have one more shot through the second qualifier. So how did Washington Freedom manage to reach the final without even stepping onto the field? Here’s the full explanation.

The Qualifier 1 match between Washington Freedom and Texas Super Kings was scheduled for today. While the toss did take place, the weather had other plans.

Soon after the toss, heavy rain lashed the ground, and it continued non-stop, eventually forcing the match to be called off without a single delivery being bowled.

This unexpected washout turned into a huge advantage for Glenn Maxwell’s side, who booked a place in the final.

Now, the question arises — why did only Washington Freedom make it to the final? Why not Texas Super Kings, who were also part of Qualifier 1?

The reason lies in the league standings. Washington Freedom finished first on the points table, while Texas Super Kings were second.

According to the tournament rules, if a playoff match is abandoned, the team with a higher ranking in the league stage moves ahead. Since Washington topped the table, they automatically qualified for the final.

Washington Freedom played 10 league matches, winning 8 and losing only 2, finishing with a total of 16 points. This strong performance ensured their top position and, consequently, a direct ticket to the final.

In comparison, Texas Super Kings also played 10 matches, winning 7 and losing 3. They ended up with 14 points, finishing second, which unfortunately didn’t help them in case of a washout.

Though the first opportunity slipped away due to rain, Texas Super Kings’ hopes are still alive.

They will now play the second qualifier, where they will face the winner of the Eliminator match. A win there would take them to the final, giving them a chance to challenge Washington Freedom once again for the MLC 2025 title.