The San Francisco Unicorns vs Seattle Orcas (MLC) date and time for Match 22 of Major League Cricket 2025 was Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 4:30 AM IST (Tuesday, July 1 local time, 7:00 PM ET). The match took place at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida.
The widely anticipated San Francisco Unicorns vs Seattle Orcas (MLC) showdown took place on 1 July 2025 at 7:00 PM local time at Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida. This night fixture delivered edge‑of‑the‑seat entertainment as the Seattle Orcas chased down 169/6 to beat the Unicorns by 4 wickets with just 3 balls to spare.
Pitch and Weather
- Pitch: Balanced wicket with good bounce and carry, favoring both batters and bowlers. Average first-innings score: 175–190.
- Weather: Clear skies, 26–29°C, light breeze, 10% chance of rain—excellent conditions for cricket.
Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played | Unicorns Wins | Orcas Wins | Tie | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
- The Unicorns had dominated the rivalry, but this match marked the Orcas’ first win over them in MLC history.
Match Progress & Key Moments
- Unicorns Innings (168/5): Opting to bat first, the Unicorns posted a competitive 168/5. Stand-in opener Sanjay Krishnamurthi smashed 41 off 28, while Jake Fraser‑McGurk contributed 35 off 22.
- Orcas Chase (169/6): A rollercoaster chase saw Shimron Hetmyer once again shine—smashing an unbeaten 78 off just 37 balls, anchoring Seattle’s successful pursuit.
- Bowler Xavier Bartlett gave Orcas the early break with 2/24, trimming Unicorns’ chase to a winnable total.
Standout Performers
Player | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Shimron Hetmyer | Orcas | 78* off 37 — Player of the Match |
| Sanjay Krishnamurthi | Unicorns | 41 off 28 — crucial middle‑order stand |
| Xavier Bartlett | Orcas | 2/24 — early breakthroughs |
Turning Points
The first six overs were critical: Bartlett struck early to remove Steven Taylor, giving Orcas control through the powerplay. However, Hetmyer’s late blitz (three balls to spare) turned the tide, proving once more his match-winning value.
Final Analysis
- Seattle Orcas earn their third consecutive win, boosting them firmly into playoff contention.
- San Francisco Unicorns, though dominant earlier, fell short under pressure but remain strong in the standings.
- Strategy highlight: Orcas’ smart bowling upfront, backed by Hetmyer’s middle-overs mastery, underscored an effective chase plan.