Unicorns thrash Super Kings – that was the headline after San Francisco Unicorns delivered a crushing blow to Texas Super Kings in Match 4 of MLC 2025. This match wasn’t just about runs and wickets, but also about strategy, domination, and flawless execution. With this win, Unicorns remain unbeaten in the tournament with four wins in four matches, while Super Kings suffered their first defeat.
Faf du Plessis’ Century Goes in Vain
Batting first, Texas Super Kings relied heavily on their captain Faf du Plessis, who scored a blistering 100 off 51 balls. His innings was a perfect mix of power and precision, including 6 fours and 7 sixes. He stitched a 97-run partnership with Devon Conway, who managed just 23 off 23 balls, slowing down the momentum.
The next partnership with Saiteja Mukkamalla yielded 69 runs, with Mukkamalla contributing 38. However, Unicorns thrash Super Kings was made possible by a sudden collapse. In a span of eight balls, Mukkamalla, du Plessis, and Marcus Stoinis were dismissed, halting Texas’ surge just as they looked set to breach 200.
Explosive Start from Allen and Short
Chasing 199, San Francisco Unicorns came out all guns blazing. In the powerplay itself, it was clear that Unicorns thrash Super Kings wasn’t just a possibility—it was inevitable. While Finn Allen started slowly, Matthew Short got off the blocks quickly, smashing 33 off 16 balls.
By the end of six overs, the Unicorns were 83/0. Short was at 46 off 21 balls, and Allen had quickly accelerated to 34 off 16. Their opening partnership of 117 runs in under 9 overs set the stage for a clinical finish. Short was dismissed for 61 off 29 balls, but Allen continued the assault with a stunning 78 off just 35 deliveries.
Fraser-McGurk Finishes it Off
When Allen departed, Unicorns needed just 30 more runs with 7.4 overs remaining. Jake Fraser-McGurk made sure the chase was wrapped up without hiccups. He smashed 37 off 25 balls, hitting boundaries at will, and Unicorns thrash Super Kings became a reality with 23 balls to spare.
Unicorns’ Net Run Rate Gets a Major Boost
Thanks to their dominating finish, Unicorns thrash Super Kings not only gave them two more points but also a huge boost in their net run rate (NRR). Finishing the chase with 23 balls remaining greatly improved their NRR, which could be a critical factor in the playoff race as the tournament progresses.
Match Summary: Unicorns Thrash Super Kings
- Texas Super Kings: 198/5 (du Plessis 100, Mukkamalla 38; Rauf 2-34, Bartlett 2-31)
- San Francisco Unicorns: 202/3 in 16.1 overs (Allen 78, Short 61, Fraser-McGurk 37; Milne 1-24)
- Result: Unicorns thrash Super Kings by 7 wickets
- MLC 2025 Table: Unicorns on top with 4 wins in 4 matches
Why Unicorns Thrash Super Kings: Key Reasons
✔️ Blazing powerplay start – 83 runs in 6 overs
✔️ 117-run opening stand by Allen and Short
✔️ No support for du Plessis from other batters
✔️ Collapse in final overs cost Super Kings dearly
✔️ Clinical finish by Fraser-McGurk
Player Performances: Unicorns Thrash Super Kings
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Faf du Plessis | 100 (51) |
| Finn Allen | 78 (35) |
| Matthew Short | 61 (29) |
| Jake Fraser-McGurk | 37 (25) |
| Haris Rauf | 2/34 |
| Xavier Bartlett | 2/31 |
Impact on MLC 2025 Standings
With this win, Unicorns thrash Super Kings and strengthen their claim as early title favorites. Their aggressive top-order, consistent bowling attack, and depth in batting make them the team to beat in MLC 2025. Super Kings, on the other hand, will need to address their middle-order inconsistency and death-over bowling issues to bounce back.
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