Cricket NewsCricket HighlightsFinn AllenHaris RaufInternational MatchesMajor League CricketMajor League Cricket 2025Match HighlightsMLCMLC 2025Player PerformancesSports HighlightsT20T20 LeaguesT20I SeriesT20I क्रिकेट
Finn Allen Smashes Record-Breaking Century as SF Unicorns Thrash Washington Freedom in MLC 2025 Opener
Allen’s Historic Century Sets MLC 2025 Ablaze
The opening match of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 delivered fireworks as San Francisco Unicorns’ Finn Allen smashed a record-breaking 151 off just 51 balls, guiding his team to a comprehensive 123-run victory over Washington Freedom. This incredible performance not only powered SF Unicorns to the highest-ever total in MLC history but also rewrote several T20 records.
In a rematch of the 2024 MLC final, the Unicorns took their revenge in dominating fashion. Allen’s knock, filled with 19 towering sixes, surpassed Chris Gayle’s long-standing world record of 18 sixes in a T20 innings. His 150 came in just 49 balls, setting a new benchmark for the fastest 150 in T20 cricket.
Power-Hitting Masterclass from Finn Allen
Breaking Records Ball by Ball
Allen’s assault began in the very first over, when he scooped the ball over fine leg for a six. What followed was a brutal display of power-hitting, as he targeted every bowler with equal disdain. Hat-tricks of sixes came against Michell Owen and Glenn Phillips, as Allen reached his century in just 34 balls — breaking Nicholas Pooran’s previous MLC record.
He continued the carnage, and by the time he reached 150, the Unicorns had already surpassed the league’s highest team total. Though Chris Gayle’s 175* in T20 cricket remained untouched, Allen was not far off before a rare mis-hit ended his breathtaking innings.
Read more on legendary T20 knocks by Chris Gayle
Middle-Order Fireworks and Strong Finish
Tim Seifert provided early support with a short cameo before being dismissed. Jake Fraser-McGurk failed to make an impact, but Hassan Khan played a vital finishing role with an unbeaten 38 off just 18 deliveries. San Francisco Unicorns closed their innings at a formidable 269 for 5 in 20 overs, setting a target that looked out of reach from the start.
Washington Freedom’s Promising Start Crumbles
Washington Freedom began their chase aggressively, reaching 79 for no loss inside the first five overs. Openers Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Owen looked in control and gave hope of a miraculous chase. However, a brilliant diving catch by Fraser-McGurk broke the stand, and a run-out soon after triggered a dramatic collapse.
The defending champions lost eight wickets for just 38 runs. From 80 for 0, they slid to 117 for 8 and never recovered from the freefall.
Bowlers Seal it for SF Unicorns
Haris Rauf led the attack with precision, dismissing Glenn Maxwell and Glenn Phillips in the same over before cleaning up the tail. He finished with figures of 3 for 30. Hassan Khan and Carmie le Roux also chipped in with crucial wickets as Freedom were bundled out for just 146 in 13.1 overs.
Read more about Haris Rauf’s best T20 spells
Match Summary
San Francisco Unicorns: 269/5 in 20 overs
(Finn Allen 151, Hassan Khan 38*; Jack Edwards 2/39)
Washington Freedom: 146 all out in 13.1 overs
(Rachin Ravindra 42, Mitchell Owen 39; Haris Rauf 3/30)
Result: San Francisco Unicorns won by 123 runs
A Statement Win for San Francisco Unicorns
With this emphatic victory, San Francisco Unicorns have issued an early warning to all other teams in the competition. Finn Allen’s record-breaking knock will go down as one of the greatest T20 innings in history, setting the tone for an exciting MLC 2025 season.
