In a dazzling display of power-hitting and clinical bowling, the San Francisco Unicorns etched their name in the history books of Major League Cricket (MLC) with a staggering 123-run victory over defending champions Washington Freedom. This monumental triumph on the opening night at the iconic Oakland Coliseum marks the largest margin of victory in the league’s short but electrifying history.
The Unicorns, playing their first ‘true’ home game in the MLC, were propelled by a breathtaking performance from New Zealand’s Finn Allen, who smashed a jaw-dropping 151 runs off just 53 balls, including a record-breaking 19 sixes. This incredible feat not only set a new benchmark for the fastest 150 in T20 cricket history (achieved in just 49 balls) but also surpassed the previous record for most sixes in a T20 innings, held jointly by West Indies’ Chris Gayle and Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan.
Opting to bat first after losing the toss, the Unicorns posted a colossal 269/5, the highest team total in MLC history. Alongside Allen’s fireworks, local talent Sanjay Krishnamurthi contributed a fiery 36 off 20 balls, while Hassan Khan provided a late surge with an unbeaten 38 off 18 balls. The Bay Area crowd was treated to an unforgettable spectacle as the Coliseum hosted its inaugural MLC fixture, setting the tone for an explosive second season.
Washington Freedom’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with USA’s T20 World Cup hero Saurabh Netravalkar enduring a tough night, conceding 57 runs in his 4 overs. Only Jack Edwards, with figures of 2/39, managed to keep his economy rate under 10 runs per over, while the rest of the attack was taken apart on a batter-friendly wicket.
In response, Freedom started brightly, racing to 80/0 inside the powerplay, led by aggressive knocks from Mitchell Owen (39 off 20) and New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra (42 off 17). However, their dismissals triggered a dramatic collapse. From a promising 97/2, Freedom plummeted to 146 all out, losing their next six wickets for a mere 20 runs. Only Edwards (21 off 7) and Ben Sears (15 off 10) crossed double figures besides the openers, as seven batters fell for single-digit scores.
The Unicorns’ bowling attack was relentless, with Haris Rauf (3/30), Hassan Khan (3/38), and Carmi le Roux (2/35) leading the charge. Their disciplined lines and clever variations under lights exploited a wicket that began to hold up, turning the game decisively in their favor.
Post-match, Finn Allen, deservedly named Player of the Match, expressed delight at starting the tournament on a high. ‘It’s nice to kick off strong here. I set up well and hit the ball cleanly down the ground. The wicket was fantastic, and we’ve got a lot of firepower in our batting lineup. The lads are buzzing,’ he said with a grin, crediting the quality of the pitch and his uncomplicated approach.
Washington Freedom captain Glenn Maxwell was candid in defeat, acknowledging Allen’s dominance. ‘Finn battered us out of the game. We had plans, but on a small ground with a beautiful wicket, he overpowered us. We started well in the first seven overs, but losing too many wickets in the middle phase cost us,’ Maxwell admitted, hinting at a tactical rethink for future games.
As the MLC caravan remains in Oakland for the second of nine matches at the venue, fans can look forward to another blockbuster clash between last year’s champions MI New York and Texas Super Kings. If this opening night is anything to go by, the 2024 season promises to deliver unparalleled excitement and record-breaking performances. For now, though, the night belongs to the San Francisco Unicorns and their record-shattering hero, Finn Allen.