MLC 2024: Finn Allen Century Powers San Francisco Unicorns Past Texas Super Kings And Into The Final

Add as a preferred source on Google

Finn Allen and Pat Cummins star as San Francisco Unicorns held their nerve to edge out the Texas Super Kings by 10 runs in a nail-biting Challenger clash of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas on Friday (July 26) night.

After San Francisco Unicorns rode on a century from Allen (101) to put on a challenging total of 200/6 in their allotted 20 overs, Cummins successfully defended 18 off the final over as the Texas Super Kings fell just short of the target at 190/4.

Allen's explosive 101 off 53 balls, including nine boundaries and five sixes, set the tone for the Unicorns. Allen's aggressive play during the powerplay provided the Unicorns with the momentum they needed, bringing them to a powerplay score of 66/0.

Despite Noor Ahmad's quick wickets of Jake Fraser-McGurk (18) and Sanjay Krishnamurthi (0), Josh Inglis added a crucial 37 from 25 deliveries to support Allen through the innings.

Allen's exploits included 16-run overs off Marcus Stoinis in both the second and the 13th over, and an 18-run over off Zia Ul Haq, comprising two consecutive sixes. Hassan Khan's quick 27 off 15 balls was also vital in propelling the Unicorns to the 200-run mark.

For the Texas Super Kings, Noor Ahmad was the standout bowler, capturing key wickets and finishing with figures of 3/27. Mohammad Mohsin, Marcus Stoinis and Ottoneil Baartman also claimed a wicket each in the losing cause.

In the run chase, the Texas Super Kings opened strong with Devon Conway (62*) leading the pursuit. Pushing the pace of the innings, Conway's knock came in just 38 balls.

The New Zealander struck four fours and two sixes in an innings where he did not see enough of the strike. Faf du Plessis contributed a brisk 45 off 22, but his dismissal derailed the Texas Super Kings' momentum.

While middle-order contributions from Aaron Hardie (19), Milind Kumar (2), and Marcus Stoinis (1) were lacking, Joshua Tromp scored a breezy 56 from 36 balls, keeping the Super Kings in the hunt until the final over.

Conway brought up his half-century in only 30 balls, whereas Tromp powered his way to the milestone in 31 deliveries, including four fours and two sixes.

The match came down to the wire in the last five overs, with the Texas Super Kings needing 64 runs. With the dangerous Conway and Tromp at the crease, Haris Rauf and Cummins held their nerves for the San Francisco Unicorns, delivering tight overs under pressure.

Cummins was pivotal in the 20th over, conceding only 7 runs when 18 were needed, showcasing experienced death bowling that ensured a Unicorns' victory. Juanoy Drysdale emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the innings with figures of 2/33.

MLC 2024 Challengers - San Francisco Unicorns vs Texas Super Kings Brief Scores

San Francisco Unicorns: 200/6 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 101, Josh Inglis 37, Noor Ahmad 3/27) beat Texas Super Kings: 190/4 in 20 overs (Devon Conway 62*, Joshua Tromp 56, Juanoy Drysdale 2/33)

What's next in MLC 2024?

With this victory, the San Francisco Unicorns advance to the finals and are set to face the Washington Freedom for the title on Sunday. The Texas Super Kings, meanwhile, will head home following the exit in the Challenger.