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San Francisco Unicorns Hand Texas Super Kings First Defeat in MLC 2025 with Explosive Chase
Short and Allen Power San Francisco to Commanding Win in Texas Clash
The San Francisco Unicorns extended their unbeaten streak in the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) with a thumping seven-wicket win over the previously undefeated Texas Super Kings. Chasing a daunting target of 199, SFU’s top order delivered a masterclass in power-hitting, gunning down the total with 23 balls to spare.
An electric opening partnership between Matthew Short and Finn Allen laid the foundation, as the duo added 117 runs in no time. Short blasted 69 off just 21 balls, while Allen unleashed a brutal counterattack with 78 off 35, ensuring that Texas’ total was reduced to a mere formality.
Early Onslaught Sets the Tone
Short and Allen Decimate the Powerplay
The Unicorns’ chase began with sheer intent. Matthew Short, who opened alongside Allen, went on the offensive from the first over, smashing boundaries across the park. He brought up his half-century in just 17 balls, setting a ferocious tempo. His innings included a flurry of fours and sixes, which rattled the Super Kings’ bowling unit.
Finn Allen joined the carnage shortly after. With an array of aerial shots and clean striking, he matched Short stroke-for-stroke. Allen launched eight sixes and batted with complete freedom. Together, they helped SFU plunder 83 runs in the powerplay, effectively breaking the back of the chase before the halfway mark.
📌 Read more about San Francisco Unicorns’ recent performances in MLC
TSK’s Faf du Plessis Century Goes in Vain
Despite the eventual result, the day had started brightly for Texas Super Kings, who were led by a brilliant hundred from captain Faf du Plessis. The veteran South African batter struck a commanding 100 off 51 deliveries, anchoring the innings with precision and aggression.
He was well-supported by Devon Conway, with whom he added 97 runs for the opening wicket, followed by a fluent 69-run stand with Sai Teja Mukkamalla. However, a double blow in quick succession — the dismissals of du Plessis and Mukkamalla — turned the momentum.
Final Overs Slowdown Hurts Texas
After a strong platform was set, the Super Kings struggled in the final phase of their innings, managing just 38 runs in the last five overs. The slowdown, caused by disciplined bowling from Xavier Bartlett (2/31) and Haris Rauf (2/34), proved costly in the end. What looked like a potential 220-plus score settled at 198/5.
Middle-Order Calm Completes Unicorns’ Chase
Following the dismissals of Short and Allen, Jake Fraser-McGurk ensured there were no late stumbles. The young batter scored a calm and composed 37 off 25 balls, taking SFU within two runs of victory before falling. The job, however, was already done.
San Francisco’s batting depth and aggressive strategy underlined why they remain serious title contenders in the MLC 2025 season. With a perfect record so far, they continue to set the benchmark for T20 dominance in the league.
Match Summary
Texas Super Kings: 198/5 in 20 overs
(Faf du Plessis 100, Sai Teja Mukkamalla 38; Xavier Bartlett 2/31, Haris Rauf 2/34)
San Francisco Unicorns: 202/3 in 16.1 overs
(Finn Allen 78, Matthew Short 69, Jake Fraser-McGurk 37; Adam Milne 1/24, Mohammad Mohsin 1/29)
Result: San Francisco Unicorns won by 7 wickets
🔗 Catch the full MLC 2025 schedule and stats on Cricbuzz
