In Match 25 of the Major League Cricket season 2025, the San Francisco Unicorns won against Texas Super Kings by just 1 run in a thrilling finish with cool mindset and calm nature. Texas Super Kings won the toss and chose to bowl first. San Francisco’s captain Matthew Short played a calm and steady innings under pressure.

Batting first, San Francisco scored 148 for 6 in 20 overs. Matthew Short made a solid 80 runs from 63 balls. Hassan Khan added a quick 40 from 25 balls. Texas bowlers bowled well to keep the score down, with Marcus Stoinis took 3 wickets conceding 32 runs. Akeal Hosein (1/18) and Nandre Burger (1/28) were also very economical.

Chasing 149, Texas Super Kings fought hard but finished at 147 for 7 in 20 overs just 1 run short. Donovan Ferreira scored a fast 39 from 20 balls. Saiteja Mukkamalla (34 from 29) and Shubham Ranjane (28 from 27) also tried to keep the chase alive. But San Francisco bowlers took important wickets at the right time. Romario Shepherd and Brody Couch both took 2 wickets each for 26 runs, while Karima Gore bowled tightly with 1 for 25 to help seal the win in the last over.

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Twitter reactions after SFU wins 25th match of MLC 2025

✅ Another last ball thriller in the MLC - SFU win by 1 run!

📺 Watch live and exclusive on https://t.co/ktQmbfqs7H#MLC | #SFUvTSK pic.twitter.com/k7SnCA1gkw

— Willow TV US (@willowtv) July 5, 2025

On one side, TSK came in with just four bowlers and a part-timer bowling four overs, while Ranjane and Savage remained one-dimensional.
On the other side, SFU managed to defend 148 despite their main bowler Haris Rauf getting injured & going out of action after bowling a over!

— Jacob Martin (@Leg_shift_D) July 4, 2025

TSK bottling this game !!!

WAF or SFU will be the winner of this MLC

— Kunal Bishwal 🇦🇷 (@KunalBishwal07) July 4, 2025

TSK bottled an easy run chase & top 2 position 😭😭

Yes it was a game bw two best teams but that's where you show character man, should've chased this easily... pic.twitter.com/iYXVNO6Vrg

— Navneet 🚩 (@MSDian067) July 5, 2025

Match day 💛 #TSKvsSFU

Finally After 8th Matches TSK won toss 😭😭😭🥹

Choose Bowl 1st 🤞#WhistleForSuperKings pic.twitter.com/CeclOVBEld

— 𝑵𝑲𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒓🦚 (@Nkumaaaran) July 4, 2025

MLC is cooking 🔥

TSK lost today & WAF cooking for top 2, TSK will finish in top 2 only if they beat SO & also MINY beats WAF & if that happens MI will qualify eliminating SO 🥵🔥#MLC #MLC2025 pic.twitter.com/wsOCHaC4yb

— Navneet 🚩 (@MSDian067) July 5, 2025

The match 14 of the 2025 Major League Cricket season saw a high-scoring battle at Grand Prairie Stadium, Texas, where San Francisco Unicorns proved too powerful for MI New York, winning by 47 runs and staying unbeaten in the tournament.

After losing the toss, San Francisco Unicorns were asked to bat first and they made the most of it. Captain Matthew Short led from the front with a blazing knock of 91 off just 43 balls. He hit the ball all around the park and set the tone early. Jake Fraser-McGurk continued the momentum hitting the shorts with a quick 64 from only 26 balls, and Hassan Khan finished it off in style, smashing 31 runs off just 9 balls. Together, they powered the Unicorns to a huge total of 246/4 in 20 overs.

MI New York’s bowlers had a tough day. Kieron Pollard picked up 2 wickets for 31 runs in 3 overs, while Naveen-ul-Haq and Nosthush Kenjige took a wicket each but gave away plenty of runs. Chasing a big target of 247, MI New York began well. Quinton de Kock played a fighting knock of 70 from 46 balls. He got good support from Monank Patel, who scored a quick 60 off 33 balls. Kieron Pollard tried to keep hope alive with a 16-ball 34, but the asking rate kept going up.

The Unicorns’ bowlers held their nerve. Romario Shepherd (2/30) and Xavier Bartlett (2/35) took key wickets, and Liam Plunkett kept things tight with 1/25. MI New York ended at 199/6 and fell short by 47 runs.

ALSO READ: ENG vs IND Day 5 of 1st Test: Headingley Weather Update

Twitter reactions after SFU wins 14th match of  MLC 2025

"Bracewell, you've gotta go" 😂 Michael Bracewell goes for a golden duck 🦆 as the @SFOUnicorns put the finishing touches on match #14! pic.twitter.com/Tgb94saKmi

— Cognizant Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) June 24, 2025

✅ SFU win the match by 47 runs!

📺 Watch live and exclusive on https://t.co/ktQmbfqs7H#MLC | #MINYvSFU pic.twitter.com/byfoaKW8q9

— Willow TV US (@willowtv) June 24, 2025

I thought MINY will chase down after seeing their PP score but Pooran decided to play a impactful knock for SFU 😂

— ★ 𝘖𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 ★ (@aravindmsd_07) June 24, 2025

Quickfire 50 from JFM

54(21)*

Unicorns 172/2 after 14.3
Should get to 240 easily 👀

Boult got one more
Naveen got two

Sunny + Bracewell + Pollard ->
two overs

3rd six for JFM in the over

SFU 181/2 after 14.5
Takes a single and keeps strike#MajorLeagueCricket #MLC2025 pic.twitter.com/9NhINjYHo7

— Karthik Rao (@Cric_Karthikk) June 24, 2025

And ANOTHER ONE! 😍

Polly deceives JFM with a slower one.

SFU - 192/3 (15.5 overs) https://t.co/Cfg1w9PhkD

— MI New York (@MINYCricket) June 24, 2025

Australia Names Preliminary Squad for ICC Champions Trophy

Aaron Hardie and Matt Short very well picked for the first time for an ICC event, as the people choosing the team for Australia announced a group of 15 members for the Champions Trophy, which starts on February 19. They're going to play the tournament in both Pakistan and the UAE.

Australia, two-time Champions Trophy winners, has opted for an allrounder-heavy lineup, leaving out Jake Fraser-McGurk after a poor domestic season. Nathan Ellis, instrumental in Hobart Hurricanes' KFC BBL|14 finals run, joins Short and Hardie as new inclusions compared to the squad that won the ODI World Cup 14 months ago.

Key Changes and Notable Omissions

Pat Cummins is supposed to be the head of the team, but he might not play because of his bad ankle, George Bailey, the individual who picks the team, shared. Dave Warner is relaxing since he's retired, Cameron Green's got to make sure his needs are taken care of, and Sean Abbott can't make it to the tournament.

Comments from the Selectors

Australia's team has a match with Sri Lanka in Hambantota just a single One Day International event and that's happening right after their second Test match in Galle, three days later, to be exact. They're putting up a conflict in Group B and they've had really good matches versus Afghanistan, England, and South Africa, and many group games. They're happening in Lahore and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The first important game they have is against England on February 22, which is like the start of the tournament for them. "This squad reflects a balance of experience and flexibility," Bailey stated. "With several core players from the successful ODI World Cup campaign and recent series, we have options to adapt to different conditions in Pakistan." The team is built around a strong pace unit, supported by Adam Zampa as the sole specialist spinner. Seam bowling has historically been more effective in Pakistan's ODI conditions.

AUSTRALIA SQUAD FOR CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025 🏆

Cummins (C), Carey, Ellis, Hardie, Hazlewood, Head, Inglis, Labuschagne, Marsh, Maxwell, Short, Smith, Starc, Stoinis, Zampa. pic.twitter.com/OPgYBA7qtY

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 13, 2025

Aaron Hardie throws balls quickly, Matt Short spins slowly, while Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis add a lot of options. They're really key players. Alex Carey, who's been performing well against England, is the backup for the main wicket-keeper Josh Inglis. Hardie’s inclusion comes despite limited bowling in the ongoing BBL 14 season due to a quad injury. Short, meanwhile, has impressed with consistent performances and a stunning century for the Adelaide Strikers upon returning from injury. Tournament Format and Australia's Goals The Champions Trophy, last held in 2017, features eight teams with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. The final will be played on March 9 in Lahore or Dubai. Australia, already holders of the men's and women's ODI World Cups and the Under-19 title, aims to secure the only remaining ICC 50-over trophy to complete their collection.

ALSO READ: Yograj Singh Took a Pistol to Confront Kapil Dev After Being Dropped from the Team

Australia’s Fixtures

February 22: Australia vs England, Lahore (8 PM ) 

February 25: Australia vs South Africa, Rawalpindi (8 PM ) 

February 28: Australia vs Afghanistan, Lahore (8 PM )

 March 4: Semi-Final 1, Dubai (8 PM )

 March 5: Semi-Final 2, Lahore (8 PM )

March 9: Final, Lahore or Dubai (8 PM )

2025 ICC Men's Champions Trophy

Australia preliminary squad: Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Broadcast Information

All Champions Trophy matches will be streamed on Prime Video in Australia, as part of their exclusive ICC rights for 2024-27.

In what could have been a high-scoring thriller, the fifth match of the 2024 Cognizant Major League Cricket between Washington Freedom and Texas Super Kings was washed out due to rain, leaving both teams to share a point each at Church Street Park in Morrisville. The anticipated clash promised fireworks from some of the league’s most prolific batters, highlighting the competitive spirit and high stakes of the season.

Despite the weather’s intervention, the tournament has already seen some remarkable performances, Let’s deep dive into the top impactful batters of the season so far, particularly in the context of Adjusted Boundary Rate (aBR). This is cricket analytics metric provides a deeper insight into a batter’s efficiency, measuring how many fewer balls they take to hit a boundary compared to other top-quality batters in the season.

See Also: IND vs ZIM: Match Analysis: What led to the collapse of India’s young guns on Harare’s Spin-friendly track?

Top Performers: Leading Batters in Adjusted Boundary Rate (aBR)

Leading the charge is Matt Short, who tops the aBR chart with a remarkable -3.1, showcasing his exceptional ability to find the boundary with ease. In the league so far, Short has delivered a match-winning 58-run knock at a blistering strike rate of 223.08. Following closely behind him is Steve Smith, who holds the second position with an aBR of -2.6. Smith has played two innings in the league, amassing 72 runs with an impressive strike rate of 175.61, including six towering sixes.

Rounding out the top three is Faf du Plessis with an aBR of -2.5. Faf has accumulated 114 runs in the league, highlighted by a massive 100-run knock in a recent game. These performances not only illustrate their individual brilliance but also highlight the critical role of aBR in assessing batting efficiency and impact. Their ability to consistently find the boundary and accelerate scoring makes them key figures in the 2024 Major League Cricket season, underscoring the depth of talent and competition in the league.

A few other players who feature prominently on the leaderboard are Finn Allen, Andre Russell, and Shakib Al Hasan. Finn Allen, with an aBR of -2.24, recently delivered a match-defining knock of 63 runs at a strike rate of 170.27. His aggressive approach and ability to find the boundary have been crucial for his team. Andre Russell, known for his explosive batting, holds an aBR of -2.06. In the league so far, Russell has scored 50 runs across two innings, hitting seven boundaries in total, demonstrating his knack for accelerating the scoring rate.

Another standout performer is Russell’s teammate from LAKR, Shakib Al Hasan, who has an aBR of -2.02. Shakib has scored 53 runs in his two innings, showcasing his consistency and ability to contribute valuable runs in the middle order. These players have not only made significant contributions to their teams but have also highlighted the importance of Adjusted Boundary Rate in evaluating batting efficiency. Their performances add depth and excitement to the league, underlining the competitive nature and the high standards set by the players in the 2024 Major League Cricket season.

The Adjusted Boundary Rate (aBR) metric plays a pivotal role in understanding and evaluating batting performance in T20 cricket. By measuring how many fewer balls a batter takes to hit a boundary compared to other top-quality batters in the season, aBR provides a nuanced insight into a player’s efficiency and impact. This metric highlights those who can consistently and effectively accelerate scoring, making them invaluable assets to their teams.

The current leaderboard, led by Matt Short, Steve Smith, and Faf du Plessis, reflects the players’ exceptional abilities to dominate the opposition and alter the course of matches. As the season progresses, the dynamic nature of T20 cricket ensures that the rankings can shift, and we will return with another analysis in the coming weeks to track any changes to the leaderboard. The ongoing performances promise exciting updates, showcasing the evolving prowess of the league’s top batters.

See Also: INDW vs SAW: Player Analysis: Tazmin Brits Capitalizes on India’s Sloppy Performance

Australia is gearing up for the T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in the Caribbean Islands and the United States of America. As part of their preparations, Australia has taken two traveling reserves, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short, to provide cover in case of a tournament-ending injury to any of the first-choice 15 players.

Australia’s core squad includes seasoned players like David Warner, Travis Head, and captain Mitchell Marsh. This experienced trio is expected to lead from the front, providing stability and explosive power at the top of the order.

Travelling Reserves

Travelling reserves play a crucial role in the dynamics of a World Cup squad. The backup players can step in if a main squad member gets injured. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short have been chosen for this role due to their impressive performances and versatility.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024: SWOT analysis of Indian team

Analysis of Jake Fraser-McGurk

Jake Fraser-McGurk’s omission from the main squad sparked debates, especially considering his stunning form in the IPL. His aggressive batting style and ability to score quickly have been his standout traits. Fraser-McGurk, yet to make his T20I debut, provides a backup option for the established top three. He would step in seamlessly and maintain the team’s aggressive approach if top-order players were unavailable.

Analysis of Matthew Short

Matthew Short has consistently performed in T20Is in nine of Australia’s last 14 matches. His ability to adapt to various batting positions and contribute with part-time off-spin makes him a valuable asset. Short’s versatility allows him to cover multiple roles. He can open the innings, bat in the middle order, and even bowl an over or two if required. This flexibility is crucial in a high-stakes tournament like the T20 World Cup.

Australia’s Spin Strategy

Ashton Agar’s inclusion as the primary spinner is a strategic move, considering his experience and effectiveness in T20s. His left-arm orthodox spin provides variety and control in the middle overs. Australia has opted to avoid carrying an additional frontline spinner in the reserves. This decision is influenced by the need for versatile players who can adapt to various roles and Tanveer Sangha’s current fitness concerns.

Pace Attack

The formidable trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood spearheads Australia’s pace attack. Their ability to strike early and control the deathovers will be critical to Australia’s success.

Spencer Johnson, Xavier Bartlett, and Sean Abbott are in the UK playing the T20 Blast but are on standby to join the squad if needed. This strategy ensures that Australia has ready replacements available without disrupting the main squad’s preparations.

All-Round Options

Cameron Green’s inclusion provides balance to the squad. His all-around capabilities, especially his batting depth, allow Australia to play an extra bowler or a second spinner, depending on the conditions.

Preparations for the Tournament

Australia’s non-IPL players will fly to the Caribbean for a training camp in Trinidad, including practice matches against Namibia and West Indies. These matches will help the team acclimatize to the local conditions and fine-tune their strategies.

The IPL playoffs’ schedule means some key players, like Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell, will join the squad later. This staggered arrival could affect the team’s preparations and allow other players to participate in the warm-up matches.