The San Francisco Unicorns’ unbeaten streak in MLC 2025 finally came to an end, though they remain at the top of the points table, now holding their position only on the basis of a superior net run rate. Mitchell Owen’s sensational five-wicket haul led Washington Freedom to a 12-run victory in Dallas on Saturday.Unicorns skipper Matthew Short continued his strong form with the bat as his side chased a modest target of 170—a score that looked manageable given recent high-scoring games. Despite little support from Finn Allen and Jake Fraser-McGurk, Unicorns reached 52 for 1 during the powerplay.Short eventually found some backing from Sanjay Krishnamurthi, but after Short fell in the 11th over for a commanding 67—out of the 97 total—the chase quickly unraveled. With only 73 required, the Unicorns’ middle order appeared to be in control.That was when Owen took charge with the ball. He removed Short in his first over and then dismissed Hassan Khan and Romario Shepherd in successive deliveries soon after. Assisted by wickets from Jack Edwards and Ian Holland, the Unicorns collapsed to 113 for 7 by the 16th over.Owen returned in the 19th over to clean up tailenders Haris Rauf and Brody Couch, finishing with remarkable figures of 5 for 17. With 27 needed off the final over, Jahmar Hamilton fought valiantly with an unbeaten 31 from 18 balls, but Saurabh Netravalkar held his nerve, conceding only 14 runs to seal the win.Earlier, after choosing to bat, Freedom were in deep trouble at 13 for 3 inside three overs, courtesy of a fiery opening burst from Xavier Bartlett, who removed Owen (first ball), Rachin Ravindra, and Andries Gous.Glenn Maxwell fell cheaply, but Jack Edwards and Glenn Phillips steadied things with a 71-run stand off 64 balls. Phillips then shifted gears during a 31-run partnership in just 12 deliveries with Obus Pienaar. After Phillips departed for a 39-ball 58, Pienaar finished with an unbeaten 37 off 16 balls alongside Mukhtar Ahmed.
Both teams now share six wins in seven matches, though the Unicorns boast a commanding net run rate advantage—2.016 compared to Washington’s 0.603.Brief ScoresWashington Freedom: 169/6 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 58, Jack Edwards 42, Obus Pienaar 30*; Xavier Bartlett 32/4, Romario Shepherd 28/1)San Francisco Unicorns: 157/9 in 20 overs (Matthew Short 67, Jahmar Hamilton 31*, Sanjay Krishnamurthi 24; Mitchell Owen 17/5, Ian Holland 23/1, Amila Aponso 23/1)
