The highly anticipated clash between Washington Freedom (WAF) and San Francisco Unicorns (SFU) took place on June 29, 2025, with the match starting at 1:30 AM IST (June 28, 3:00 PM local) at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas. This was the 19th match of Major League Cricket 2025 and featured two of the tournament’s best-performing teams.
Lineups and Key Players
Washington Freedom’s lineup blended international flair and local talent. The team featured captain Glenn Maxwell, who provided all-round strength, alongside Rachin Ravindra, Andries Gous (wicketkeeper), Glenn Phillips, Jack Edwards, and Matthew Forde. The bowling attack was spearheaded by Saurabh Netravalkar and supported by Mitchell Owen, Ian Holland, Obus Pienaar, and Mukhtar Ahmed.
San Francisco Unicorns fielded a dynamic eleven led by Matthew Short (captain), with explosive opener Finn Allen as wicketkeeper-batsman. Their batting was further reinforced by Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, and all-rounder Romario Shepherd. The bowling unit included Xavier Bartlett, Brody Couch, Haris Rauf, Carmi le Roux, and Hassan Khan, giving them depth and variety in both pace and spin departments.
Match Overview
Washington Freedom, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, posted a competitive total of 169/6 in their 20 overs. In response, the San Francisco Unicorns fought valiantly but fell short, finishing on 157/9. Washington Freedom emerged victorious by 12 runs in a contest that lived up to its billing as a battle between the top two sides in the league.
Key Match Stats
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas
- Date & Time: June 29, 2025, 1:30 AM IST
- Result: Washington Freedom won by 12 runs
- Toss: Washington Freedom won and elected to bat
Notable Match Stats
- Powerplay Scores:
- SFU: 52/1 after 6 overs, with Short dominating the early scoring.
- Wickets in Clusters:
- After Short’s dismissal at 67 (out of 97), SFU lost momentum and wickets in quick succession, collapsing from 97/2 to 157/9.
- Bowling Milestones:
- Mitchell Owen’s 5/17 is one of the best figures in MLC 2025, dismantling SFU’s middle and lower order.
- Xavier Bartlett’s 4/32 kept WAF in check during the death overs.
Scores:
- Washington Freedom: 169/6 (20 overs)
- San Francisco Unicorns: 157/9 (20 overs)
The Player of the Match for the Washington Freedom vs San Francisco Unicorns 19th Match of Major League Cricket 2025 was Mitchell Owen of Washington Freedom. Owen delivered a match-winning bowling performance, taking 5 wickets for just 17 runs in 3 overs, including key scalps like Romario Shepherd and Matthew Short, which decisively broke the back of the Unicorns’ chase and helped Washington Freedom secure a 12-run victory.
Top Performers:
- Washington Freedom’s batting was anchored by steady top-order contributions, while their bowlers held their nerve in the death overs.
- San Francisco Unicorns’ chase was led by Finn Allen and Jake Fraser-McGurk, but regular wickets hampered their momentum.
Match Officials:
- On-field umpires: Rushane Samuels, Wayne Knights
- Match referee: Simon Taufel
Standings Impact
With this win, Washington Freedom solidified their position near the top of the table, breaking the Unicorns’ unbeaten streak and adding crucial points in the race for the playoffs.