MLC 2025: Short, Shepherd Shine as Unicorns Stampede into Playoffs with Orcas Victory

The San Francisco Unicorns have clinched their spot in the MLC 2025 playoffs, emerging as the first team to qualify after a convincing 32-run victory over the Seattle Orcas in Dallas on Wednesday. The Unicorns remain undefeated, boasting a perfect record of six wins, solidifying their position at the top of the league standings. The Orcas, on the other hand, suffered their fifth consecutive loss, languishing at the bottom of the table.

The Unicorns' success was fueled by outstanding all-round performances from captain Matthew Short and Romario Shepherd, complemented by a stellar four-wicket haul from Haris Rauf. The Unicorns had to battle for every run.

After being put in to bat, the Unicorns lost Finn Allen early. However, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Short forged a crucial 68-run partnership for the second wicket, providing much-needed stability and momentum. McGurk's dismissal for a rapid 34 off 21 balls in the eighth over, courtesy of left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh, triggered a collapse. The Unicorns slipped from a comfortable 86 for 1 to 103 for 6. Short, who was in excellent form, hit seven fours and two sixes during his 29-ball innings, eventually falling for 52 after being dismissed by Harmeet Singh.

Shepherd then took center stage, smashing four sixes and four fours in a blistering 56 off 31 balls, propelling the Unicorns to a competitive total of 176 for 8. Gerald Coetzee also contributed with 3 for 34, claiming vital middle-order wickets.

Despite a promising start to their chase, the Orcas were unable to secure their first win of the season.

The Orcas scored 29 runs in the first two overs, thanks to Shayan Jahangir, who impressed with his aggressive strokeplay. He scored 40 runs off just 22 balls. However, Shepherd struck a crucial blow by dismissing Jahangir in the seventh over.

In the following over, Short further dented the Orcas' hopes by dismissing both David Warner and Kyle Mayers. The Orcas struggled to recover from these setbacks, losing wickets at regular intervals. Shimron Hetmyer and Sujit Nayak attempted to rebuild the innings, but their efforts were short-lived. Rauf, who had previously dismissed Heinrich Klaasen, sealed the victory by removing Coetzee and Hetmyer in the 16th over, followed by Cameron Gannon in the 18th, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 32.

Match Summary:

San Francisco Unicorns: 176 for 8 (Romario Shepherd 56, Matthew Short 52; Harmeet Singh 3-22, Gerald Coetzee 3-34)

Seattle Orcas: 144 all out (Shayan Jahangir 40; Haris Rauf 4-32, Short 3-12)