MLC 2025: Qualification scenario for all the participating six teams

The race for the top four spots rages on in the Major League Cricket 2025. More than halfway through the season, the league has witnessed some electrifying performances and high-scoring thrillers. While some teams have hit the ground running and are already within touching distance of qualifying for the playoffs, some are nearing elimination. For instance, San Fransico Unicorns (SFU) have stormed their way into the playoff round on the back of an unbeaten six-match winning streak. They remain the sole team to stay unbeaten in the current MLC season.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Seattle Orcas, on the other hand, suffer their fifth consecutive defeat of the season and find themselves on the brink of an early exit. They remain the only team to be winless in this tournament. With more than half the season done, we bring you the mid-season standings as of June 26, 2025, and what they'd need to do to secure a top-four finish. 

See also: MLC 2025, Match 16: Seattle Orcas vs San Francisco Unicorns Full Match Highlights

San Francisco Unicorns (SFU)

Current form: Undefeated at 6–0, and sitting at the top of the table. 

Scenario: They have qualified for the playoffs and will aim to finish in the top two in an attempt to avoid playing the Eliminator. 

Texas Super Kings (TSK)

Current form: Win/loss ratio stands at 4–2. Ranked second in the points table. (Defeated LAKR twice and registered a victory each against SEO & MINY)

Scenario: They look all set for a strong finish in the top two. However, they will need to perform well in their upcoming clash against MINY. Should they manage to emerge victorious in that encounter, TSK will also be through to the playoffs. The team would back themselves to win all their remaining fixtures in order to avoid a number three/four finish. 

Washington Freedom (WF)

Current form: Defending champions have a win record of 4–1. They lost the opener against SFU but then got to winning ways by registering four successive wins. They find themselves third in the points table. 

Scenario: The defending champions are very much in the race to finish in the top four. They are also one victory away from officially qualifying for the playoffs. WF's top priority would be to finish in the top two and avoid featuring in the bottom end of the top four standings. A victory against LAKR in their next encounter will see them displace TSK from the second position. 

MI New York (MINY)

Current form: MINY are in a tricky situation with their only solitary win coming against SEO. They are ranked fourth in the points table. 

Scenario: MINY will need to pull off a series of victories to solidify their position in the top four. Although the chances of them emerging in the top two appear slim, the team can still win their remaining three fixtures by a decisive margin to hold on to either the third or the fourth position. If that were to happen, MINY will have to brace itself for the do-or-die Eliminator clash. NNR will come into the equation, and the other results will have to go their way. 

Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR)

Current form: LAKR are in the midst of an underwhelming campaign as they find themselves ranked second-last in the points table. They have lost four games and have only registered a solitary win against SEO.

Scenario: LAKR are on the verge of elimination and desperately require a win in all their remaining three fixtures to make it into the top four. The team must treat each match as a must-win. They’ll likely need to finish at least 5–5 or better, with comfortable margins in wins, to stay ahead of MINY and TSK. A defeat in their upcoming fixtures will most certainly knock them out of the playoff race. 

Seattle Orcas (SEO)

Current form: SEO are yet to register a win and find themselves languishing at the bottom of the points table. They have suffered five straight defeats so far in this competition.

Scenario: Five consecutive losses have put SEO's campaign in jeopardy. The team has approached a point of no return and, unfortunately, has very little chance of making it to the top. Even a victory in all their upcoming fixtures will not help the side edge past their rivals in the points table. SEO might be the first team to be eliminated should they go on to register their sixth consecutive defeat while facing up to MINY in their next encounter. 

A look at the points table so far:

Teams	Matches	Wins	Losses	N/R	PT	NRR
San Francisco Unicorns	6	6	0	0	12	2.472
Texas Super Kings	6	4	2	0	8	1.370
Washington Freedom	5	4	2	0	8	0.722
MI New York	5	1	4	0	2	-0.597
Los Angeles Knight Riders	5	1	4	0	2	-2.407
Seattle Orcas	5	0	5	0	0	-2.197