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The LAKR vs WF fantasy team prediction for MLC 2026 Match 16 at Fairgrounds Cricket Stadium in Pomona, California on Wednesday July 1 2026. Match starts at 1:30 AM local time which is 7:00 AM IST.
Los Angeles Knight Riders have lost three matches in a row. In Match 12 they were bowled out for 103 chasing 144 against MI New York. In Match 14 today they lost to Seattle Orcas by 20 runs, scoring 134 for 8 chasing 154. They were 68 for 3 after 10 overs in that match and still could not get over the line. Three losses in a row is the worst form any LAKR side has shown in MLC history.
Washington Freedom are not flying either. They beat Texas Super Kings by 1 wicket off the last ball in Match 13 when Nikhil Chaudhary hit a six off the final delivery. Before that they were beaten by 88 runs by Seattle Orcas in Match 9. Two wins and two losses from four matches, NRR minus 1.055. The NRR is bad because of that 88-run loss.
Both teams are on 4 points. This match matters a lot for the playoff picture. And this is also the first ever top-level cricket match played in Los Angeles. The Fairgrounds Cricket Stadium in Pomona is brand new to MLC.
LAKR vs WF Match Details
Match: LAKR vs WF, 16th T20, MLC 2026
Date: Tuesday June 30 2026 local / Wednesday July 1 IST
Time: 1:30 AM PDT / 7:00 AM IST
Venue: Fairgrounds Cricket Stadium, Pomona, California
LAKR Captain: Jason Holder
WF Captain: Steve Smith
Live TV India: Star Sports 2
Live Streaming India: JioHotstar
A New Venue — First Cricket in Los Angeles
The Fairgrounds Cricket Stadium at Pomona is the Knight Riders Cricket Field at Fairplex. This is LAKR’s home ground in MLC 2026 and this match is the first time Los Angeles hosts top-level cricket. The ground is at the Los Angeles Fairplex complex in Pomona, roughly 30 miles east of downtown LA. There is no historical MLC data for this ground because tonight is its first MLC match.
Team Form Last 5
LAKR last 5: L L W W W
Three losses in a row going into tonight. Beat SFU in Match 2, beat SO in Match 6 by 81 runs, then lost to MINY in Match 12, lost to SO in Match 14. Their batting has collapsed in two consecutive matches, scoring 103 and 134. That is well below their average.
WF last 5: W L W L L
Two wins from five. Beat MINY by 30 runs in Match 5 posting 245 for 5. Beat TSK by 1 wicket in Match 13. Lost to SO by 88 runs in Match 9. Lost Match 3 to SO. Lost the MLC 2025 Final to MINY by 5 runs.
Head to Head LAKR vs WF
Washington Freedom lead 4-0 from all 4 MLC meetings. LAKR have never beaten WF.
WF won, 17th T20 MLC 2025, LAKR 213 for 4 vs WF 214 for 5 in 20 overs.
WF won, 8th T20 MLC 2025, WF 208 for 5 vs LAKR 95 all out in 16.3 overs.
WF won, 11th T20 MLC 2024, WF 130 for 2 in 16 overs vs LAKR 129 all out in 18.4 overs.
WF won, 9th T20 MLC 2023, WF 177 for 4 in 18.1 overs vs LAKR 175 for 7 in 20 overs.
The closest match was last season when LAKR scored 213 and WF got 214 off the very last ball. LAKR came close but have never got over the line. Tonight is their fifth attempt.
Points Table MLC 2026
LAKR: P4 W2 L2 NRR plus 0.867, 4 Points
WF: P4 W2 L2 NRR minus 1.055, 4 Points
Same points. Same wins. Same losses. LAKR have a better NRR because of that 81-run win over Seattle earlier in the tournament. The winner tonight gets to 6 points and moves into strong playoff contention. The loser drops to 4 points with a very difficult run-in.
Team Comparison Last 10 Matches
LAKR in last 10:
Win percentage: 30 percent
Average Score: 167
Highest Score: 243
Lowest Score: 103
WF in last 10:
Win percentage: 50 percent
Average Score: 156
Highest Score: 245
Lowest Score: 44
Washington Freedom win more often at 50 percent versus LAKR’s 30 percent. But LAKR average higher per innings at 167 versus WF’s 156. Both teams have massive collapses in their recent history. WF were bowled out for 44 in a previous MLC season and LAKR have been bowled out for 95 and 103 in MLC 2025 and 2026. Neither side is reliable when under pressure.
Fairgrounds Cricket Stadium Pomona Pitch Report
This is the first MLC match at this ground. No historical data exists. The Fairgrounds Cricket Stadium is a purpose-built cricket ground at the Los Angeles Fairplex in Pomona, California. It is LAKR’s home ground for MLC 2026.
In Southern California in late June and early July the weather is hot, dry and sunny during the day. Night conditions bring temperatures down but the pitch in these conditions tends to play flat. There is no dew factor that affects other venues. The outfield at a new ground is usually fast which helps batters.
The best reference point is the Oakland Coliseum which averages 188 in the first innings. Pomona is a new purpose-built ground so the pitch may behave differently. Expect a good batting surface with true bounce.
Toss verdict: Bat first. On a new flat ground the team setting a target has the advantage. Neither side has played here before so there is no chasing advantage from knowing the ground.
Par score: 175 or above batting first would be a strong total. Given LAKR’s recent scores of 103 and 134 they will need to bat much better than their recent form suggests.
Weather Report Pomona June 30
Temperature: 34.7 degrees Celsius
Conditions: Cloudy
Humidity: 40 percent
Rain chance: 4 percent
Very hot. 34.7 degrees is significantly warmer than the Oakland matches which were played in 13 to 15 degrees. Low humidity at 40 percent means the ball will not swing. Pace bowlers rely on pace and bounce rather than movement. This is a batter-friendly conditions forecast. The hot flat conditions should produce higher scores than recent Oakland matches.
LAKR Playing XI
Players confirmed playing in recent LAKR matches this season:
Sunil Narine, Colin Munro, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Jason Holder (C), Fabian Allen, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Matthew Tromp, Ali Khan, Carmi le Roux, Unmukt Chand.
Note: Alex Hales is in the squad but has not featured in recent matches. Confirm the official playing XI at toss time before finalising your fantasy team.
WF Playing XI
Players confirmed playing in recent WF matches this season:
Steve Smith (C), Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Andries Gous (WK), Nikhil Chaudhary, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Dwarshuis, Saurabh Netravalkar, Jack Edwards, Ian Holland.
Note: Rachin Ravindra is in the WF squad but has played zero matches this season. He was due to replace Mark Chapman for the latter half of the tournament. Check if he has joined the squad before including him in your fantasy team. If he plays tonight he comes in immediately as a top pick.
Players to Watch
Sunil Narine — Los Angeles Knight Riders
Narine opens the batting and bowls spin. He is the most important player in this LAKR team. When he fires with the bat in the powerplay LAKR build a platform. When he takes wickets with his mystery spin in the middle overs he changes the match. LAKR have lost three in a row. They need Narine to have his best match of the tournament tonight.
Andre Russell — Los Angeles Knight Riders
Russell bats in the middle order and hits the ball an enormous distance. In hot flat conditions at Pomona on a new ground where the boundaries may be shorter than Oakland he is the most dangerous death-overs batter in this match. LAKR scored 103 and 134 in their last two games. If Russell gets 20 balls in overs 15 to 20 those scores go up by 40 runs minimum.
Glenn Maxwell — Washington Freedom
Maxwell is one of the best T20 batters in the world. He bats anywhere in the order for WF and plays shots that other batters simply cannot play. At a new ground in hot flat conditions with no swing and a fast outfield Maxwell is in his ideal batting environment. He is the captain pick for this match.
Steve Smith — Washington Freedom
Smith captains WF and bats at the top. He gives WF their foundation. When Maxwell plays his natural aggressive game Smith is the anchor who makes sure WF do not collapse after Maxwell falls. Against LAKR’s bowling which has been inconsistent this season Smith should score comfortably.
Jason Holder — Los Angeles Knight Riders
Holder captains LAKR and gives them genuine all-round depth. He bats in the middle order and bowls right-arm fast medium. In three consecutive losses his leadership has been tested. Tonight at their home ground in Pomona he needs a strong personal performance as well. His bowling could take key wickets from Maxwell or Smith if he gets the new ball to move.
Marco Jansen — Washington Freedom
Jansen is a tall left-arm fast bowler from South Africa. His height gives him steep bounce that is uncomfortable even on flat surfaces. He has been WF’s most consistent bowling option this season. Against LAKR’s right-handed batting lineup his angle from the left side is awkward. With no swing available in these conditions he relies on pace and bounce and he has plenty of both.
Match Prediction
Washington Freedom are favourites. They have beaten LAKR in all 4 previous meetings. Their squad with Maxwell, Smith, Ferguson and Jansen is stronger on paper than a LAKR team that has lost three matches in a row and scored 103 and 134 in their last two games.
But this is a new ground. LAKR’s home ground. First MLC cricket in Los Angeles. The crowd will be behind LAKR for the first time this season and home advantage at a brand new venue in the heart of the franchise’s city is a real factor.
If Narine and Russell fire together LAKR can post 185 or above. On a flat hot Pomona surface that is a challenging total for WF to chase. Maxwell is capable of chasing anything but he needs support from Smith and Mitchell Owen.
Our prediction: Washington Freedom to win. Their head to head record is 4-0. Their squad is more consistent. LAKR’s recent batting collapses suggest they have a serious middle-order problem that one match cannot fix.
Best Fantasy XI LAKR vs WF MLC 2026
| Player | Team | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Sunil Narine (C) | LAKR | All-Rounder |
| Colin Munro | LAKR | Batter |
| Andre Russell (VC) | LAKR | All-Rounder |
| Glenn Maxwell | WF | All-Rounder |
| Steve Smith | WF | Batter |
| Mitchell Owen | WF | All-Rounder |
| Jason Holder | LAKR | All-Rounder |
| Marco Jansen | WF | Bowler |
| Lockie Ferguson | WF | Bowler |
| Ali Khan | LAKR | Bowler |
| Saurabh Netravalkar | WF | Bowler |
Note: If Rachin Ravindra is confirmed in the WF playing XI at toss time replace Saurabh Netravalkar with Ravindra immediately. He is the best batter WF have and changes the entire fantasy calculation.
Captain: Sunil Narine
He opens the batting and bowls mystery spin. Two ways to score points in one player. LAKR need him to perform tonight more than any other match this season. Three losses in a row means the pressure is on him. At their home ground in Pomona on a flat surface his batting in the powerplay is where this match could be won for LAKR.
Vice Captain: Andre Russell
Russell bats in the death overs and hits sixes. On a flat hot Pomona surface with a fast outfield the ball travels far. He also bowls right-arm fast medium and took 4 wickets in the MINY match earlier this season. Bat and ball contribution in one pick.
Differential: Saurabh Netravalkar
The USA left-arm bowler is WF’s most reliable domestic option. He bowls accurately and takes wickets in the powerplay against right-handed openers. Most fantasy players will pick Ferguson and Jansen from WF’s bowling. Netravalkar at lower ownership with consistent performances is tonight’s best differential.
FANTASY
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Q: What time does LAKR vs WF MLC 2026 start in India?
A: The LAKR vs WF match starts at 7:00 AM IST on Wednesday July 1 2026. Local start time in Pomona is 1:30 AM PDT on Tuesday June 30 2026.
Q: Where is the LAKR vs WF MLC 2026 match being played?
A: Fairgrounds Cricket Stadium in Pomona, California, also known as the Knight Riders Cricket Field at Fairplex. This is the first MLC match at this ground and the first time Los Angeles hosts top-level cricket.
Q: What is the head to head record between LAKR and WF in MLC?
A: Washington Freedom lead 4-0 from all 4 meetings. LAKR have never beaten WF in MLC history across four seasons.
Q: What is LAKR’s recent form going into this match?
A: LAKR have lost three matches in a row. They were bowled out for 103 against MINY in Match 12 and scored 134 for 8 against Seattle in Match 14 today. Their batting middle order has collapsed in two consecutive matches.
Q: What is the MLC 2026 points table for LAKR and WF?
A: Both teams are on 4 points from 4 matches, each with 2 wins and 2 losses. LAKR have an NRR of plus 0.867 and WF have an NRR of minus 1.055. The winner tonight moves to 6 points.
Q: Is Rachin Ravindra playing for Washington Freedom tonight?
A: Rachin Ravindra has played zero matches for WF in MLC 2026 so far. He was due to join for the latter half replacing Mark Chapman. Check the official playing XI at toss time. If he is confirmed in the XI he becomes an immediate top fantasy pick.
Q: Who is the best captain pick for LAKR vs WF fantasy team tonight?
A: Sunil Narine. He opens the batting for LAKR and bowls mystery spin. He needs a big match tonight after three consecutive LAKR losses. His dual contribution with bat and ball makes him the safest captain choice.
Q: Where can I watch LAKR vs WF MLC 2026 live in India?
A: Star Sports 2 on TV and JioHotstar for live streaming.