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San Francisco Unicorns Storm into MLC 2025 Playoffs with Sixth Consecutive Win
Unbeaten Unicorns Too Strong for Winless Orcas
The San Francisco Unicorns have officially booked their spot in the MLC 2025 playoffs with an emphatic 32-run victory over the struggling Seattle Orcas. This marked the Unicorns’ sixth straight win in the season, showcasing their unbeaten dominance under Matthew Short’s dynamic leadership. In contrast, the Orcas remain at the bottom of the table, still searching for their first points after suffering a fifth consecutive defeat.
Romario Shepherd and Matthew Short Lead All-Round Brilliance
Short and Fraser-McGurk Stabilize After Early Wicket
The Unicorns, opting to bat first, faced an early setback with the dismissal of Finn Allen in just the second over. However, a 68-run partnership between captain Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk helped them recover. The pair played aggressive cricket, taking full advantage of the powerplay before Harmeet Singh turned the game briefly in the Orcas’ favor.
Singh, continuing his excellent form this season, dismissed both set batters and Hassan Khan within two overs. The middle-order collapse continued as Gerald Coetzee and Obed McCoy struck in quick succession, reducing the Unicorns to 103/6.
Shepherd’s Late Fireworks Power SFU to 176
Romario Shepherd then took center stage. With the innings losing momentum, Shepherd provided the late surge the Unicorns needed. He smashed 56 runs and turned the game on its head in the final overs. Cameron Gannon bowled tightly, but Shepherd unleashed a brutal assault on Obed McCoy in the final over, hammering three consecutive sixes to take the Unicorns to a competitive 176/8.
Related Reading: Full MLC 2025 Points Table and Team Standings.
Orcas’ Strong Start Undone by SFU’s Pace Attack
Seattle Orcas began the chase with aggression. Shayan Jahangir launched a flurry of boundaries, including two sixes in the opening over and another 15-run burst in the second. Paired with veteran David Warner, the duo reached 59 in the PowerPlay, putting the Unicorns under pressure.
However, the introduction of Romario Shepherd and Matthew Short flipped the momentum. Shepherd bowled Jahangir, and Short delivered a pivotal double-wicket over, removing both Warner and Kyle Mayers. From 59/0, the Orcas were suddenly 68/3.
Haris Rauf Crushes Orcas’ Middle-Order
Post-PowerPlay Collapse
Following the early inroads, Haris Rauf delivered the knockout punches. He removed Heinrich Klaasen and later returned to claim Gerald Coetzee and Shimron Hetmyer, both caught in a crucial double-wicket over. Matthew Short returned once again to dismiss Sujit Nayak and break a budding partnership with Hetmyer.
From a promising 59/0, the Orcas crumbled to 127/7 and were ultimately bowled out for 144 in 18.2 overs. Rauf ended with figures of 4/32, Short chipped in with 3/12, and Shepherd added 2/16 to cap off a complete team performance.
Brief Scores
San Francisco Unicorns 176/8 in 20 overs (Romario Shepherd 56, Matthew Short 52; Harmeet Singh 3/22, Gerald Coetzee 3/34)
Seattle Orcas 144 in 18.2 overs (Shayan Jahangir 40; Haris Rauf 4/32, Matthew Short 3/12, Romario Shepherd 2/16)
Result: Unicorns won by 32 runs
Also Read: Latest MLC 2025 Match Reports & Updates.
