Washington Freedom showcased resilience and sharp bowling to secure a thrilling 12-run victory over San Francisco Unicorns in Match 19 of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025. The high-octane encounter at Grand Prairie Stadium saw Washington Freedom successfully defend a target of 169, thanks to a superb batting effort and an exceptional individual bowling performance that tilted the scales in their favour. This result further intensifies the competition in what is proving to be a fiercely contested tournament.
Washington Freedom’s innings: Glenn Phillips and power-hitters set the stage
After winning the toss, Washington Freedom elected to bat, a decision that initially seemed fraught with peril as they lost early wickets. Opener Mitchell Owen fell for a duck on the first ball, and Rachin Ravindra (9 off 9) along with Andries Gous (1 off 2) quickly followed. However, the innings was steadied by a crucial partnership between Jack Edwards and Glenn Phillips. Edwards played the anchor role, crafting a patient 42 runs from 42 deliveries, adorned with a solitary four and two sixes. Glenn Phillips then accelerated the scoring, top-scoring for Freedom with a magnificent 58 runs off just 39 balls, including 2 fours and 3 maximums, showcasing his clean hitting prowess.
👏🫡 50 up for Glen Phillips! Much needed knock from him!
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— Willow TV US (@willowtv) June 28, 2025
As the innings neared its close, Obus Pienaar injected much-needed momentum with a blistering 30 runs off a mere 12 balls, smashing 2 fours and 2 sixes, while Mukhtar Ahmed’s quickfire 17 off 9 deliveries (1 four, 1 six) ensured Washington Freedom finished on a strong note, posting a competitive total of 169 for 6. The San Francisco Unicorns bowlers toiled hard, with Xavier Bartlett being the standout performer. He ripped through the Freedom top order, claiming an impressive 4 wickets for 32 runs from his four overs. Haris Rauf and Romario Shepherd also chipped in with a wicket apiece, but the Unicorns’ attack conceded crucial runs in the death overs, allowing Freedom to reach a defendable score.
San Francisco Unicorns’ chase: Matthew Short’s fightback and Mitchell Owen’s heroics
Chasing 170 for victory, San Francisco Unicorns’ innings was largely defined by a magnificent onslaught from their opener, Matthew Short. Despite losing Finn Allen early for 7 and Jake Fraser-McGurk for 3, Short launched a powerful counter-attack. He dominated the Washington Freedom bowlers, smashing a brilliant 67 runs off just 40 balls, an innings punctuated by 4 fours and 6 massive sixes, single-handedly keeping his team in the hunt. Sanjay Krishnamurthy provided some stability with 24 runs off 21 balls, and later, Jahmar Hamilton kept the Unicorns’ hopes alive with a rapid 31 off 18 deliveries, featuring 3 fours and a six.
However, the tide turned decisively in Washington Freedom’s favour through the exceptional bowling of Mitchell Owen. Despite a golden duck with the bat, Owen redeemed himself emphatically with the ball, delivering a match-winning spell that dismantled the Unicorns’ chase. He registered astonishing figures of 5 wickets for just 17 runs from his 3 overs, picking up crucial wickets at regular intervals, including the vital scalp of Matthew Short, which broke the back of the chase. The sustained pressure from Amila Aponso (1 wicket for 23 runs), Jack Edwards (1 wicket for 22 runs), Rachin Ravindra (1 wicket for 27 runs), and Ian Holland (1 wicket for 23 runs) meant the Unicorns could never quite recover. In the end, San Francisco Unicorns concluded their 20 overs at 157 for 9, falling short by 12 runs in a gripping contest.
✅ WF beat SFU by 12 runs!
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— Willow TV US (@willowtv) June 29, 2025
Owen’s remarkable five-wicket haul, which effectively swung the momentum back to Washington Freedom after a shaky start, earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award. This win helped Washington Freedom end San Francisco Unicorns’ winning streak and secure a spot for themselves in the playoffs.
First challenge 👉 𝐐 ✅#FreedomExpress is officially Playoffs bound 🤩#MLC2025 pic.twitter.com/EJOPVz1oSe
— Washington Freedom (@WSHFreedom) June 28, 2025
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