Domintreten Article

SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS CONFIRM 2026 MAJOR LEAGUE CRICKET RETENTIONS AND DRAFT ADDITIONS

March 25 2026

The San Francisco Unicorns has confirmed the domestic and international players returning to its roster for the 2026 Cognizant Major League Cricket (MLC) season, following the end of the player retention window on March 22, 2026, as well as the additions from the 2026 draft.

Returning overseas players include club captain and Australian international all-rounder Matt Short, alongside fellow compatriots Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett. The Australian trio has gone on to become regulars in their country’s green and gold since the last MLC season, with Short also continuing as the Adelaide Strikers’ captain in the latest edition of the Big Bash League (BBL).

New Zealand power hitter Finn Allen also returns as an opening batsman for the Unicorns, following a successful year which saw him reach the T20 World Cup final and win the Big Bash League with the Perth Scorchers, hitting 38 sixes – 18 more than any other player in the competition.

Pakistan international Haris Rauf is also confirmed to return for the new MLC season, bringing pace and experience as one of the Unicorns’ key bowlers. Rauf was another star of the BBL, having taken the most wickets across the tournament.

The domestic group is led by Sanjay Krishnamurthi, who has emerged as a breakout performer for the USA national team over the past 12 months. Krishnamurthi is joined by Hassan Khan, a proven all-rounder across multiple franchise competitions, and Brody Couch, who has become a regular in Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield side, and was part of the Perth Scorchers’ BBL-winning squad alongside Allen. Pace bowler Juanoy Drysdale and all-rounder Hammad Azam complete the retained domestic core.

Following the 2026 MLC draft on March 23, 2026, the Unicorns can also announce their new domestic additions for the upcoming season in the order they were drafted in:

  • Batsman Aakarshit Gomel brings previous experience from the Ranji Trophy in India with Mumbai to the Bay Area.
  • Experienced pace bowler Zia-ul-Haq joins the franchise as a recognised name in MLC, having represented Texas Super Kings 19 times
  • Muhammad Ilyas also joins the roster from the Pakistani Super League, having bowled for Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans.
  • Saideep Ganesh adds valuable cover behind the stumps, having previously been on the books with MI New York.
  • Leg spinning all-rounder Anirudh Imanuel steps up from Minor League Cricket, having played in 2025 with the New Jersey Stallions.

“The Unicorns have always been about consistency when it comes to overseas and domestic selection. Players are picked based on their skill, attributes to the broader franchise setup, and with an eye on both the coming season, as well as those to come”, said San Francisco Unicorns’ head coach Cam White. “We’re delighted to bring back many of our international group who have made serious impacts for their respective teams since last season, as well as our domestic group, who have played a core role in our runs to the playoffs over the last two seasons.”

Matt Short, San Francisco Unicorns’ captain, added: “I’m looking forward to heading back out to the Bay Area for the 2026 MLC season and leading the Unicorns in front of the home crowd once again. We’ve kept hold of a core group of players who can each offer match-winning contributions, and with more experience, we have high hopes that we can be back in the Championship game this season.”