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HIGHLIGHTS: San Francisco Unicorns sneak past Texas Super Kings by 1 run at Lauderhill | MLC 2025

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In a dramatic conclusion to Match 25 of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, San Francisco Unicorns clinched a nail-biting 1-run victory over Texas Super Kings at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill. After being put in to bat by the Super Kings, the Unicorns posted a competitive total of 148/6, largely thanks to a magnificent innings from their captain, Matthew Short. The Super Kings, despite a valiant effort in their chase, ultimately fell short by the narrowest of margins, finishing at 147/7.

Matthew Short’s masterclass anchors San Francisco Unicorns’ innings

The San Francisco Unicorns’ innings was built around the brilliant batting of skipper Matthew Short, who was rightly adjudged the Player of the Match. Short played a patient yet impactful innings, scoring 80 runs off 63 deliveries, including 5 fours and 4 towering sixes. His innings was crucial in steadying the ship after the Unicorns experienced early jitters, losing Finn Allen (1 run) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (3 runs) cheaply.

Sanjay Krishnamurthy also departed quickly for 2 runs, leaving the Unicorns at a precarious 19/3.

However, Short found an able partner in Hassan Khan, who provided a much-needed impetus with a brisk 40 runs off just 25 balls, featuring 2 fours and 3 sixes. Their partnership pulled the Unicorns out of trouble and put them back on track for a respectable total. Romario Shepherd (13 runs) and Hammad Azam (8 runs) added some useful runs towards the end.

For Texas Super Kings, Marcus Stoinis was the pick of the bowlers, snaring 3 wickets for 32 runs from his 4 overs, breaking the crucial middle-order partnerships. Akeal Hosein was economical, picking up 1 wicket for just 18 runs, while Nandre Burger and Noor Ahmad also chipped in with a wicket each, conceding 28 runs apiece.

Also READ: Major League Cricket 2025: Complete squads of all six MLC teams

Texas Super Kings’ chase falls agonizingly short

Chasing 149 for victory, Texas Super Kings got off to a rocky start, losing Smit Patel (8 runs) and captain Faf du Plessis (1 run) within the powerplay.

Saiteja Mukkamalla and Marcus Stoinis then attempted to rebuild the innings. Mukkamalla played a steady hand with 34 runs off 29 balls, including 3 fours and 1 six, while Stoinis contributed 13 runs.

The real momentum for the Super Kings came from Donovan Ferreira, who unleashed a flurry of strokes, scoring a rapid 39 runs off just 20 deliveries, hitting 3 fours and 2 sixes. He, along with Shubham Ranjane (28 runs), brought Texas tantalizingly close to the target. However, the Unicorns’ bowlers held their nerve in the crucial death overs.

Brody Couch was particularly impressive for the San Francisco Unicorns, picking up 2 wickets for 26 runs, including the early dismissal of Faf du Plessis. Romario Shepherd also bagged 2 wickets for 26 runs, taking crucial breakthroughs in the backend of the innings. Hassan Khan chipped in with 1 wicket for 32 runs, and Karima Gore picked up 1 wicket for 25 runs, maintaining good control.

The match went down to the very last ball, with Texas needing 2 runs for a tie and 3 for a win. However, the San Francisco Unicorns’ bowlers, led by their disciplined attack, managed to defend the total, securing a thrilling 1-run victory.

Also WATCH: Finn Allen hits a humungous 302-feet six during San Francisco Unicorns vs Seattle Orcas clash at MLC 2025





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