How San Francisco Unicorns fared in Major League Cricket 2025
San Francisco Unicorns enjoyed another impressive Major League Cricket campaign in 2025, finishing third in the league stage with seven wins from 10 matches and a net run-rate of +1.330. They emerged as one of the most explosive teams in the competition, winning their first six matches before stumbling towards the end and bowing out in the Eliminator.
The Unicorns made a statement right away with a record-breaking 123-run victory over Washington Freedom and continued their unbeaten run with victories over Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York, Texas Super Kings and Seattle Orcas. Their batting line-up consistently produced imposing totals, while the pace attack, spearheaded by Xavier Bartlett and Haris Rauf, made them one of the most balanced sides in the tournament.
However, after winning six consecutive games, San Francisco lost three of their final four league matches. Although they edged Texas Super Kings in a thrilling one-run contest to seal a playoff berth, defeats to Los Angeles Knight Riders and MI New York in the Eliminator meant their promising campaign ended without a title.
Match-by-match
Match 1: Beat Washington Freedom by 123 runs
San Francisco Unicorns announced themselves in style. They hammered 269/5 before bowling out Washington Freedom for 146 in 13.1 overs, registering the biggest victory of the season.
Match 3: Beat Los Angeles Knight Riders by 32 runs
After posting 219/8, the Unicorns restricted LAKR to 187 to secure their second successive victory and maintain early momentum.
Match 6: Beat MI New York by 3 wickets
Chasing 183, San Francisco got home with five balls to spare. The narrow win highlighted the composure of their middle order in pressure situations.
Match 10: Beat Texas Super Kings by 7 wickets
Texas Super Kings scored 198/5, but the Unicorns responded emphatically. They chased down the target in just 16.1 overs to underline their batting firepower.
Match 14: Beat MI New York by 47 runs
San Francisco piled on 246/4 and never allowed MI New York back into the contest, restricting them to 199/6 for a comprehensive victory.
Match 16: Beat Seattle Orcas by 32 runs
Defending 176/8, the Unicorns bowled out Seattle for 144 in 18.2 overs to stretch their winning streak to six matches.
Match 19: Lost to Washington Freedom by 12 runs
Their unbeaten run finally came to an end. Chasing 170, the Unicorns could only manage 157/9 despite a late fightback.
Match 22: Lost to Seattle Orcas by 4 wickets
Another close contest went against the Unicorns. Their 168/5 proved insufficient as Seattle chased the target with three balls remaining.
Match 25: Beat Texas Super Kings by 1 run
One of the most thrilling matches of the season saw San Francisco defend 148/6. Texas Super Kings finished on 147/7, handing the Unicorns a dramatic one-run victory.
Match 30: Lost to Los Angeles Knight Riders by 11 runs
In a rain-affected contest reduced to 19 overs, LAKR blasted 243/3 and set a DLS target of 245. Despite an aggressive response, the Unicorns were bowled out for 233 in 18.5 overs.
Eliminator: Lost to MI New York by 2 wickets
San Francisco's season ended in heartbreaking fashion. Bowled out for 131, they pushed MI New York all the way but the latter chased down the target with three balls to spare.
Top performers
Batting stars
Matthew Short, 360 runs: Matthew Short enjoyed a brilliant campaign, scoring 360 runs in eight innings at an average of 45.00 and a strike rate of 164.38. He struck five half-centuries and provided consistency and aggression at the top of the order.
Finn Allen, 333 runs: Allen was one of the most destructive batters in the tournament. He amassed 333 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 225.00, including a breathtaking 151 and two fifties. His powerplay exploits often set the tone for the Unicorns.
Jake Fraser-McGurk, 275 runs: The Australian opener added 275 runs at a strike rate of 169.75 and produced two half-centuries. His attacking approach complemented Allen perfectly.
Sanjay Krishnamurthi, 253 runs: Krishnamurthi contributed valuable middle-order runs, scoring 253 at a strike rate of 154.27. His highest score of 92 underlined his ability to accelerate.
Hassan Khan, 225 runs: Hassan Khan made important contributions lower down the order, scoring 225 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 187.50 and adding balance to the line-up.
Leading bowlers
Xavier Bartlett, 18 wickets: Bartlett spearheaded the attack with 18 wickets in 11 matches. He averaged 19.78 and claimed two four-wicket hauls, proving to be San Francisco's most consistent wicket-taker.
Haris Rauf, 17 wickets: Despite featuring in only eight matches, Rauf collected 17 wickets at an average of 15.06 and a strike rate below 10. His two four-wicket hauls made him one of the tournament's most dangerous bowlers.
Hassan Khan, 12 wickets: Hassan Khan enjoyed an excellent all-round campaign, taking 12 wickets and emerging as a dependable spin option in the middle overs.
Romario Shepherd, 8 wickets: Shepherd provided important breakthroughs and maintained an economy rate of eight while contributing with the bat as well.
Matthew Short, 6 wickets: The captain also chipped in with six wickets and maintained an economy of 7.35, further highlighting his all-round value.
Season verdict
San Francisco Unicorns were among the standout teams of the league stage and looked like genuine title contenders after winning their first six matches. Their aggressive batting unit and potent pace attack made them one of the most entertaining sides in the competition.
However, a dip in form towards the end of the league stage and a narrow defeat in the Eliminator denied them a place deeper into the playoffs. Despite the disappointing finish, the Unicorns can take plenty of positives from a campaign that showcased their explosive brand of cricket and reaffirmed their status as one of Major League Cricket's strongest teams.
The Unicorns made a statement right away with a record-breaking 123-run victory over Washington Freedom and continued their unbeaten run with victories over Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York, Texas Super Kings and Seattle Orcas. Their batting line-up consistently produced imposing totals, while the pace attack, spearheaded by Xavier Bartlett and Haris Rauf, made them one of the most balanced sides in the tournament.
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However, after winning six consecutive games, San Francisco lost three of their final four league matches. Although they edged Texas Super Kings in a thrilling one-run contest to seal a playoff berth, defeats to Los Angeles Knight Riders and MI New York in the Eliminator meant their promising campaign ended without a title.
- Season record: 10 matches, 7 wins, 3 losses
- Longest winning streak: 6 matches
- Biggest victory: Won by 123 runs vs Washington Freedom
- Biggest defeat: Lost by 12 runs vs Washington Freedom
- Final position: 3rd in league stage
Match-by-match
Match 1: Beat Washington Freedom by 123 runs
San Francisco Unicorns announced themselves in style. They hammered 269/5 before bowling out Washington Freedom for 146 in 13.1 overs, registering the biggest victory of the season.
Match 3: Beat Los Angeles Knight Riders by 32 runs
After posting 219/8, the Unicorns restricted LAKR to 187 to secure their second successive victory and maintain early momentum.
Match 6: Beat MI New York by 3 wickets
Chasing 183, San Francisco got home with five balls to spare. The narrow win highlighted the composure of their middle order in pressure situations.
Match 10: Beat Texas Super Kings by 7 wickets
Texas Super Kings scored 198/5, but the Unicorns responded emphatically. They chased down the target in just 16.1 overs to underline their batting firepower.
Match 14: Beat MI New York by 47 runs
San Francisco piled on 246/4 and never allowed MI New York back into the contest, restricting them to 199/6 for a comprehensive victory.
Match 16: Beat Seattle Orcas by 32 runs
Defending 176/8, the Unicorns bowled out Seattle for 144 in 18.2 overs to stretch their winning streak to six matches.
Match 19: Lost to Washington Freedom by 12 runs
Their unbeaten run finally came to an end. Chasing 170, the Unicorns could only manage 157/9 despite a late fightback.
Match 22: Lost to Seattle Orcas by 4 wickets
Another close contest went against the Unicorns. Their 168/5 proved insufficient as Seattle chased the target with three balls remaining.
Match 25: Beat Texas Super Kings by 1 run
One of the most thrilling matches of the season saw San Francisco defend 148/6. Texas Super Kings finished on 147/7, handing the Unicorns a dramatic one-run victory.
Match 30: Lost to Los Angeles Knight Riders by 11 runs
In a rain-affected contest reduced to 19 overs, LAKR blasted 243/3 and set a DLS target of 245. Despite an aggressive response, the Unicorns were bowled out for 233 in 18.5 overs.
Eliminator: Lost to MI New York by 2 wickets
San Francisco's season ended in heartbreaking fashion. Bowled out for 131, they pushed MI New York all the way but the latter chased down the target with three balls to spare.
Top performers
Batting stars
Matthew Short, 360 runs: Matthew Short enjoyed a brilliant campaign, scoring 360 runs in eight innings at an average of 45.00 and a strike rate of 164.38. He struck five half-centuries and provided consistency and aggression at the top of the order.
Finn Allen, 333 runs: Allen was one of the most destructive batters in the tournament. He amassed 333 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 225.00, including a breathtaking 151 and two fifties. His powerplay exploits often set the tone for the Unicorns.
Jake Fraser-McGurk, 275 runs: The Australian opener added 275 runs at a strike rate of 169.75 and produced two half-centuries. His attacking approach complemented Allen perfectly.
Sanjay Krishnamurthi, 253 runs: Krishnamurthi contributed valuable middle-order runs, scoring 253 at a strike rate of 154.27. His highest score of 92 underlined his ability to accelerate.
Hassan Khan, 225 runs: Hassan Khan made important contributions lower down the order, scoring 225 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 187.50 and adding balance to the line-up.
Leading bowlers
Xavier Bartlett, 18 wickets: Bartlett spearheaded the attack with 18 wickets in 11 matches. He averaged 19.78 and claimed two four-wicket hauls, proving to be San Francisco's most consistent wicket-taker.
Haris Rauf, 17 wickets: Despite featuring in only eight matches, Rauf collected 17 wickets at an average of 15.06 and a strike rate below 10. His two four-wicket hauls made him one of the tournament's most dangerous bowlers.
Hassan Khan, 12 wickets: Hassan Khan enjoyed an excellent all-round campaign, taking 12 wickets and emerging as a dependable spin option in the middle overs.
Romario Shepherd, 8 wickets: Shepherd provided important breakthroughs and maintained an economy rate of eight while contributing with the bat as well.
Matthew Short, 6 wickets: The captain also chipped in with six wickets and maintained an economy of 7.35, further highlighting his all-round value.
Season verdict
San Francisco Unicorns were among the standout teams of the league stage and looked like genuine title contenders after winning their first six matches. Their aggressive batting unit and potent pace attack made them one of the most entertaining sides in the competition.
However, a dip in form towards the end of the league stage and a narrow defeat in the Eliminator denied them a place deeper into the playoffs. Despite the disappointing finish, the Unicorns can take plenty of positives from a campaign that showcased their explosive brand of cricket and reaffirmed their status as one of Major League Cricket's strongest teams.
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