The highly anticipated Major League Cricket Final between Washington Freedom and San Francisco Unicorns commenced with a thrilling start. San Francisco Unicorns captain Corey Anderson won the toss and elected to field first.
Washington Freedom openers Steven Smith and Travis Head took to the crease, eager to set a solid foundation. Smith pushed the ball for a quick single, while Head showcased his aggressive intent with a boundary through extra cover. However, Head’s luck ran out in the second over as he edged a delivery to first slip, giving Haris Rauf a crucial wicket.
Andries Gous joined Smith at the crease and opened his account with a two through mid-wicket. The Freedom duo continued to rotate the strike, but the Unicorns bowlers maintained a tight line and length.
At the other end, Carmi le Roux opened the bowling for San Francisco Unicorns. Travis Head welcomed him with a boundary over cover, but le Roux responded with a full delivery that Head drilled towards short cover.
The Unicorns bowlers continued to apply pressure, with Pat Cummins replacing le Roux. Cummins’ good length deliveries kept the Freedom batsmen in check, and Gous was eventually dismissed for 2 runs.
As the innings progressed, Washington Freedom struggled to build momentum. Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Maxwell fell in quick succession, leaving the team in a precarious position.
However, Mukhtar Ahmed and Obus Pienaar provided some resistance, adding 35 runs for the fifth wicket. Ahmed played a gritty innings, while Pienaar struck a few boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking.
In the end, Washington Freedom managed to post a respectable total of 145/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Ahmed top-scored with 32 runs, while Head contributed 20.
For San Francisco Unicorns, Pat Cummins was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2/25 in his four overs. Haris Rauf and Carmi le Roux also chipped in with wickets.
