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After the cool breeze of Oakland Coliseum, Major League Cricket (MLC) landed in the scorching Texas heat for a thrilling showdown between the Texas Super Kings (TSK) and the San Francisco Unicorns. The first game at MLC’s home base kicked off at 7 PM under a blistering 100°F feel temperature. Despite the swelter, fans turned out in droves on a Friday night, eager to see their cricket icons in action.

The Unicorns won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that seemed risky as the pitch proved to be a batsman’s paradise. TSK’s openers, Devon Conway and Faf du Plessis, came out swinging, exploiting a perfect batting surface. Unicorns’ captain Matt Short had a night to forget in the field, dropping two catches that allowed TSK to race to 100 runs by the 10th over. At the halfway mark, TSK appeared poised to soar past 225 runs.

However, the Unicorns’ bowling unit, led by Xavier Bartlett and Haris Rauf, tightened the screws. Their disciplined bowling in the death overs curbed TSK’s momentum, holding them to 198/5. Youngster Saiteja Mukkamalla shone for TSK, continuing his fine form with a brisk 38 off 24 balls, providing a late flourish.

During the break, the game seemed evenly poised, but the Unicorns’ batting lineup had other plans. Openers Matt Short and Finn Allen unleashed a ferocious assault, both notching half-centuries as the Unicorns rocketed to 100 runs in just 46 balls. Their explosive start set the tone, and despite losing captain Corey Anderson to a groin injury, the Unicorns maintained their dominance. The chase was a mere formality, with the Unicorns crossing the finish line in just 16.1 overs, posting 202/3.

The Unicorns’ performance was a statement of intent. Even without their captain, they looked cohesive, powerful, and ready for any challenge. Short and Allen’s blistering knocks, combined with Bartlett and Rauf’s bowling heroics, underscored their depth. TSK, while not playing poorly, struggled to contain the Unicorns’ onslaught and will need to regroup to kickstart their win column.

In front of a passionate Texas crowd, this high-scoring encounter showcased MLC’s growing appeal and set the stage for an exciting season. The Unicorns galloped to victory, but TSK will be eager to bounce back in their next outing.

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