In a captivating showdown for the Challenger game at the Grand Prairie Stadium, the San Francisco Unicorns triumphed over the Texas Super Kings by 10 runs, securing their place in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 final. This victory was powered by an exceptional century from Finn Allen, who delivered a masterclass in T20 batting.

Allen’s Explosive Century

San Francisco Unicorns, batting first, set a daunting target of 200/6, thanks largely to Finn Allen’s blistering 101 off 53 balls. His innings featured nine fours and five sixes, setting the stadium alight. Allen started aggressively, guiding the Unicorns to 66/0 in the powerplay. Despite losing Jake Fraser-McGurk and Sanjay Krishnamurthi in quick succession, Allen found an able partner in Josh Inglis, who added 37 crucial runs.

Allen’s domination was evident as he took 16 runs off Marcus Stoinis in the second and 13th overs, and hammered Zia Ul Haq for 18 runs, including two consecutive sixes. The Unicorns managed to reach 200, setting the stage for a thrilling chase.

Texas Super Kings’ Spirited Chase

In response, the Texas Super Kings made a strong start with Devon Conway and Faf du Plessis at the helm. Conway remained unbeaten on 62, playing a measured yet aggressive knock, while du Plessis’ brisk 45 off 22 balls kept the Super Kings in contention. Despite these efforts, the middle order faltered, leaving too much for Joshua Tromp, who played a valiant 56 off 36 balls .

The match remained in the balance until the final over, with the Super Kings needing 18 runs. However, Pat Cummins’ exceptional bowling under pressure ensured the Unicorns held their nerve, restricting the Super Kings to 190/4  .

Looking Ahead

This victory propels the San Francisco Unicorns into the MLC final, where they will face the Washington Freedom in a highly anticipated clash. The Unicorns will be buoyed by their recent form and Allen’s incredible performance. Meanwhile, the Texas Super Kings, despite their impressive campaign, will exit the tournament reflecting on what could have been otherwise. The match was a testament to all-round capabilities, combining explosive batting with disciplined bowling and fielding to outclass their opponents.

Stay tuned @batballusa for more updates as we build up to the MLC 2024 final, promising another thrilling chapter.

Match Highlights