MLC 2025: Finn Allen continues onslaught to become leading run-scorer in league's history; San Francisco Unicorns beat Texas Super Kings
In a high-scoring Major League Cricket 2025 match, San Francisco Unicorns maintained their perfect record by defeating Texas Super Kings by eight wickets. Despite Faf du Plessis's brilliant century for Super Kings, Unicorns' Matthew Short and Finn Allen's aggressive half-centuries helped chase down the target of 199 with 23 balls remaining, keeping them at the top of the table with four wins in four matches.
Du Plessis dominated the Super Kings' innings after being asked to bat first, scoring 100 runs off 51 balls with six fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 200. His innings marked his first fifty-plus score since his 62 against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025 on April 29.
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The Super Kings captain formed two substantial partnerships. The first was a 97-run stand with Devon Conway, who scored a slow 23 off 23 balls.
The second partnership of 69 runs came with Saiteja Mukkamalla, who contributed 38 runs.
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Super Kings' momentum was disrupted when they lost three quick wickets - Mukkamalla, du Plessis, and Marcus Stoinis - in an eight-ball spell to Xavier Bartlett and Haris Rauf. This collapse prevented them from crossing the 200-run mark.
In response, Unicorns' openers Short and Allen launched a powerful assault. Short dominated the early proceedings, reaching 33 in 16 balls while Allen managed just 1 off 2 deliveries in the first three overs.
The Unicorns' powerplay proved decisive as they raced to 83 without loss. Allen accelerated to reach 34 off 16 balls, while Short made 46 off 21 deliveries.
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The opening partnership reached 117 before Short was dismissed for 61 off 29 balls in the ninth over. Allen continued his onslaught, making 78 in 35 deliveries before falling to Adam Milne.
With only 30 runs needed from 7.4 overs, Jake Fraser-McGurk sealed the victory with a quick 37 off 25 balls. The win solidified Unicorns' position at the top of the MLC 2025 table, while Super Kings suffered their first defeat of the tournament.
Most runs in MLC
Finn Allen - 675 runs
Devon Conway - 649 runs
Faf du Plessis - 599 runs
Nicholas Pooran - 586 runs
Quinton de Kock - 519 runs
Matthew Short - 383 runs
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