Major League Cricket: San Francisco Unicorns Book Title Clash With Washington Freedom

Dallas [Texas], July 27 (ANI): In a nail-biting encounter at the Grand Prairie Stadium, San Francisco Unicorns edged out the Texas Super Kings by 10 runs in the penultimate match of the 2024 Major League Cricket (MLC) season to book a title clash with the Washington Freedom. The San Franciso Unicorns posted a challenging total of 200/6, thanks to a vital innings from Finn Allen (101 in 53 balls, with nine fours and five sixes) that set the stage for a thrilling chase where the Texas Super Kings fell just short at 190/4. Following the day's result, the Texas Super Kings will take on the Washington Freedom on Sunday, as per a press release from MLC.

Finn Allen's explosive 101 off 53, including nine boundaries and five sixes, set the tone for the Unicorns. Allen's aggressive play during the powerplay provided the Unicorns with the momentum they needed, bringing them to a powerplay score of 66/0. Despite Noor Ahmed's quick wickets of Jake Fraser 'McGurk (18) and Sanjay Krishnamurthi (0), Josh Inglis added a crucial 37 from 25 deliveries to support Allen through the innings. Fin Allen's exploits included a 16 run over of Marcus Stoinis on two occasions, the second and the 13th over, and an 18 run over of Zia Ul Haq, comprising two consecutive sixes.

Hassan Khan's quick 27 off 15 balls, with four boundaries and a six, was also vital in propelling the Unicorns to the 200-run mark. For the Texas Super Kings, Noor Ahmad was the standout bowler, capturing key wickets and finishing with figures of 3/27.

In response, the Texas Super Kings opened strong, with Devon Conway (62* in 38 balls, with seven fours and a six) leading the pursuit. Faf du Plessis contributed a brisk 45 off 22, with seven fours and a six, but his dismissal derailed the Texas Super Kings' momentum following a 55-run opening stand. While middle-order contributions from Aaron Hardie (19), Milind Kumar (2) and Marcus Stoinis (1) were lacking, Joshua Tromp, scored a breezy 56 from 36 balls, and kept the Super Kings in the hunt until the final over.

Conway brought up his half century in only 30 balls, whereas Tromp powered his way to the milestone in 31 deliveries, including four fours and two sixes. The match came down to the wire in the last five overs, with the Texas Super Kings needing 64 runs. With the dangerous Conway and Tromp at the crease, Haris Rauf and Pat Cummins held their nerves for the San Franciso Unicorns, delivering tight overs under pressure. Cummins was pivotal in the 20th over, conceding only 7 runs when 18 were needed, showcasing experienced death bowling that ensured a Unicorns' victory. Juanoy Drysdale emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the innings with figures of 2/33.

Brief Scores: San Francisco Unicorns: 200/6 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 101, Josh Inglis 37, Noor Ahmad 3/27) Texas Super Kings: 190/4 in 20 overs (Devon Conway 62*, Joshua Tromp 56, Juanoy Drysdale 2/33). (ANI)