UNICORNS RECLAIM MLC LEAD WITH VICTORY OVER MI NEW YORK

San Francisco Unicorns, 105/5 (S Krishnamurthi, 48; M Short, 21) beat MI New York, 104 (C Anderson, 27; C Bosch, 21), by 5 wickets.

The San Francisco Unicorns moved to the top of the Major League Cricket standings on Sunday night, defeating MI New York by five wickets with 19 balls remaining in the opening game of a crucial double header at Fairplex in Pomona.

Looking to close out their Southern California stay on a high and strengthen their position during the business end of the MLC season, the Unicorns elected to field first and immediately took control through Xavier Bartlett. The Australian removed Quinton de Kock for a duck in the opening over and continued to exploit the lively Pomona surface, finishing with figures of 4/16 from his four overs.

San Francisco’s pace attack maintained the pressure throughout the powerplay. Brody Couch claimed 2/19, while Haris Rauf delivered a decisive wicket-maiden over that included the dismissal of MI New York captain Nicholas Pooran for 20. New York slumped to 45/5 and never recovered.

Captain Matthew Short capped another outstanding all-round performance by claiming 4/17 to earn MVP honors. Despite resistance from former Unicorn Corey Anderson (27) and Corbin Bosch (21), MI New York were bowled out for 104 in their 20 overs, with the Unicorns producing one of their most complete bowling displays of the season.

Chasing 105, the Unicorns suffered an early setback when Lhuan-dre Pretorius was dismissed early in the innings. Finn Allen, making his 200th career T20 appearance, added five runs before Matthew Short counterattacked with 21 from 20 deliveries to steady the chase.

After Short’s dismissal, Sanjay Krishnamurthi assumed control of the innings, combining patience with selective aggression on a surface that continued to challenge batters. The right-hander struck three fours and two sixes during an unbeaten 48 from 45 deliveries, ensuring the required rate never became a concern.

Hassan Khan provided valuable support with an unbeaten 11 as the Unicorns completed the chase in 16.5 overs to secure their fourth victory in five matches and climb to the top of the packed MLC table heading into the final stages of the regular season.

The victory brings an end to their time in Southern California, with San Francisco now turning its attention to Dallas and the decisive final stretch of the regular season.