Cricket is gearing up for a major global shake-up as the Champions League T20 format is set to return – this time with a new identity. Reports suggest the revamped competition will be called the World Club Championship, bringing together the winners of the world’s top T20 franchise leagues in a blockbuster tournament format.

Several sources have indicated that the event will take place in 2026, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) being two of the most invested in the revival. Furthermore, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has also given support to the idea, signalling its desire to take club T20 cricket globally.

Participating Leagues in the Inaugural Edition:

However, there’s a major omission. No team from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will feature in the first edition, reportedly due to Pakistan Cricket Board’s absence from a key meeting held in London. The meeting, hosted under the ICC’s umbrella, was attended by representatives of all the major T20 leagues, including the Emirates League, SA20, CPL, and more. The Lahore Qalandars, the reigning PSL champions, will miss out.

Building a Unified T20 Ecosystem – and Blunting Saudi Ambitions

ECB CEO Richard Gould, in a statement to ESPNcricinfo, confirmed that the tournament is indeed "on the cards" for both men and women, calling it “the next logical step” for the evolution of franchise cricket.

The World Club Championship is also reportedly being fast-tracked to counter the emergence of the Saudi Cricket League, a high-budget T20 initiative backed by a reported USD 400 million investment. Saudi plans to model their league on the tennis Grand Slam format, but opposition from top cricket boards like the BCCI and ECB – who are unlikely to grant NOCs to their players – has already created roadblocks.

ALSO SEE: RCB analyst credits this player over Virat Kohli for their maiden IPL 2025 title victory

With nearly every cricketing nation now boasting a franchise T20 league, a unified global competition makes strategic sense. It not only provides a global stage for top-performing teams but also gives players from emerging leagues – like those in the UAE and USA – a golden opportunity to rub shoulders with the sport’s elite.

A Global Reboot of Franchise Cricket's Biggest Stage

The concept closely mirrors the now-defunct Champions League T20, which ran from 2009 to 2014. That tournament saw top clubs from the IPL, BBL, South Africa’s Ram Slam, and others compete in a high-stakes, intercontinental format. The new World Club Championship aims to revive that legacy – but with a more inclusive, globally aligned structure.

Though the exact format and schedule are still under discussion, the World Club Championship is likely to:

• Feature winners (or top teams) from each major T20 league
  
• Rotate venues globally
  
• Feature both men’s and women’s editions in the long run
  
• Be supported by strong broadcast and commercial deals
  

The stage is now being set for what could become cricket’s ultimate franchise showdown. With most of the cricketing world on board and ICC backing secured, the World Club Championship promises to redefine the global T20 calendar – and spark new rivalries along the way.

The 2025 season of Major League Cricket has concluded with MI New York as the champion side, and Washington Freedom finished the campaign as the second-best team of MLC 2025. Along with the trophy for the champions, there were several other trophies in the tournament, like the most valuable player of the series, leading run scorer, leading wicket taker, etc. Through this content, we’ll derive which player won which award.

Full list of trophy winners of MLC 2025:

Under 23 Player of the tournament: This trophy deserved none other than MI New York talent Rushil Ugarkar. The amount of hard work he did, and then the outcome: the young pacer got the award as the most deserving candidate. In MLC 2025 with MINY, the U23 claimed 10 wickets in 8 matches with an economy rate of 9.05. Rushil also got the man of the match award for his impactful bowling in the final versus Washington Freedom.

Domestic player of the tournament: One of the main reasons to organize these kinds of franchise leagues is to offer a stage for local talents. Bart King, another MI New York player, finished out the season in style. His credibility in batting became an asset for the MI franchise. In MLC 2025, the emerging cricketer amassed a whopping 478 runs for the brigade in blue.

Read More: 'Hey Dwayne Bravo...'- Kieron Pollard addresses his friend after winning MLC 2025 with MINY

Leading wicket taker: The Australian right-arm fast-medium emerged as the leading wicket taker of the season. The San Francisco Unicorn bowler bagged a total of 18 scalps in MLC 2025, including a 4/28 bowling figure. The pacer was able to keep his economy rate (8.86) low as well in the process.

Leading run scorer: Another exciting category to take a look at. Surpassing Faf du Plessis, MINY batter Monank Patel became the leading run getter of the tournament. Throughout the tournament, his dominating batting claimed a total of 478 runs for the MLC 2025 season and became one of the main reasons behind MINY’s triumph.

MVP of the series: Here comes the most valuable performer of the series, and it goes to Mitchell Owen. The Washington Freedom all-rounder showed his brilliant all-round skills during MLC 2025. The Australian cricketer wrapped the season with 14 wickets and 313 runs to his name.

The San Francisco Unicorns have been dealt a significant blow before the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) playoffs, with star pacer Haris Rauf being out for the rest of the tournament with a Grade 1 hamstring injury.

The 31-year-old pacer developed the injury when the Unicorns won over the Texas Super Kings in their recent match. Rauf was replaced from the game and an MRI test confirmed the strain. The medical staff of the franchise consulted the medical director of the league and subsequently kept him out of the playoffs.

Rauf has been one of the top performers in the tournament this year. He is currently the top wicket-taker in the MLC 2025 with 17 wickets from eight games, taking several match-winning spells for the Unicorns. His loss is a major setback as the team heads into the business end of the tournament.

Confirming the news on social media, the Unicorns tweeted: “We’re with you, Haris. The San Francisco Unicorns can confirm Haris Rauf will miss the remainder of #MLC2025 with a hamstring injury, with New Zealand pace bowler Ben Lister to replace him, effective immediately.”

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Ben Lister Replaces Injured Rauf as Unicorns Eye Playoff Berth

The franchise has appointed Ben Lister as a replacement for Rauf for the rest of the tournament. Lister, a 29-year-old left-arm New Zealand pacer, has the much-needed international experience, having represented his country in 12 T20Is. Lister is renowned for his control of the new ball and death-over variations. He has been with the team for the last fortnight training with the team and is match-fit.

The timing of the injury is concerning for Pakistan supporters too, since Rauf is also set to miss the T20I series against Bangladesh, from July 20 in Dhaka. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has still not made an official announcement regarding his rehabilitation schedule.

The Unicorns will face the LA Knight Riders in their last league-stage encounter on July 6 at Broward County Stadium. They will gain a top-two standing and a direct qualification to the Qualifier with a victory. But now, they have to tackle that challenge without their leading wicket-taker.

The MI New York (NY) will play against the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAS) on July 06, 2025, in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, which is the 27th T20 match that will be played at Oakland Coliseum, California, United States. The match will begin at 12:30 AM IST on July 06, 2025, making for an early morning match for both teams.

Match Details 

• Date: July 06, 2025  
• Time: 12:30 AM IST  
• Location: Central Broward Regional Park Stadium turf ground, Florida, United States.
• Win% Batting first: 100%  
• Win% Bowling first: 0%  

Weather Report

Oakland is forecasted to be cool and a bit humid, with a temperature of around 10.5 degrees C. There is a 99% chance of any rain, so interruptions are expected. The forecast also shows moderate humidity at 96%, and light winds should not have an impact on play.

• Temperature: 10.5 °C  
• Winds: Light Breeze—has no real bearing on the play.
• Precipitation: 99% chance of rain—delays are likely expected.
• Humidity: Moderate (96%)—Should have no significant bearing on either player or ball control.

Also Read:  Pant rises to No. 6 in ICC Test Rankings, Bumrah holds firm at the top

Pitch Report

The pitch at Oakland Coliseum is balanced, indicatively providing good performance for batters and bowlers alike. Often the pitch offers up good pace and bounce and is more favorable to fast bowlers, particularly early and in cool conditions around the mornings. Batters will be able to play any shot once settled, but the surface will slow down as play continues; therefore, spinners may become more effective as the game type shifts to day/night. The boundaries are average length and provide an equitable contest between bat and ball.

• Bowlers: likely assistance for pacers early, whereas spinners will become more effective later.
• Spinners: Most likely to be effective during the middle and later overs.
• Field Size: average boundary length for balanced and an equitable contest for batters and bowlers  

Venue Records

• Highest Team: 269 / 5 by SF vs WAS
• Lowest Team: 146 / 10 by WAS vs SF
• Average First Innings Score: Approx. 269 Runs

the MLC 2025 season intensifies, two heavyweight contenders Los Angeles Knight Riders vs MI New Yorkare set for a high-stakes battle under the lights at Grand Prairie Stadium. With playoff spots hanging in the balance, both teams know that a win here could shape their tournament destiny. Texas will rely on experience and firepower, while Washington, a side bursting with flair and tactical punch, is determined to spoil the Super Kings’ run.Expect big hits, fierce spells, and clutch moments. It’s not just a match  it’s a statement opportunity.

Match Details – LAKR vs MINY, 24th Match | MLC 2025

• Match: Los Angeles Knight Riders vs MI New York
• Event: Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 – 24th Match
• Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
• Time: 04:30 AM IST | 07:00 PM Local Time (USA)
• Venue: Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida

Where to watch

• India: Star Sports/ Disney+ Hotstar (app + website)
• USA & Canada: Willow TV
• Australia: Channel 7
• New Zealand: Sky NZ
• Middle East & North Africa: Cricbuzz app/website
• Caribbean: ESPN

ALSO READ:MLC 2025: LAKR vs MINY Dream11 Prediction 24th Match Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI

LAKR vs MINY Probable Playing XIs:

Los Angeles Knight Riders Probable Playing XIs

MI New York Probable Playing XIs

Nicholas Pooran (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Monank Patel, Kieron Pollard, Michael Bracewell, Tajinder Dhillon, George Linde, Sunny Patel, Ehsan Adil, Trent Boult, Rushil Ugarkar

As the MLC 2025 season intensifies, two heavyweight contenders Los Angeles Knight Riders vs MI New Yorkare set for a high-stakes battle under the lights at Grand Prairie Stadium. With playoff spots hanging in the balance, both teams know that a win here could shape their tournament destiny. Texas will rely on experience and firepower, while Washington, a side bursting with flair and tactical punch, is determined to spoil the Super Kings’ run.Expect big hits, fierce spells, and clutch moments. It’s not just a match  it’s a statement opportunity.

Match Details – LAKR vs MINY, 24th Match | MLC 2025

• Match: Los Angeles Knight Riders vs MI New York
• Event: Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 – 24th Match
• Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
• Time: 04:30 AM IST | 07:00 PM Local Time (USA)
• Venue: Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida

Unmukt Chand vs Trent Boult
Unmukt will need all his experience and sharp reflexes to counter Boult’s deadly swing with the new ball. One mistimed shot, and it’s a long walk back.

Andre Fletcher vs Ehsan Adil
Fletcher plays with flair and fearlessness, but Ehsan’s clever changes of pace might just slow down the Knight Riders' early charge.

Kieron Pollard vs Jason Holder
Old West Indies teammates, now rivals Holder knows Pollard’s weaknesses well, but can he outsmart the six-machine under pressure?

Rovman Powell vs George Linde
Power meets precision. Powell will look to go big in the final overs, but Linde’s subtle variations might just ruin his party.

Quinton de Kock vs Tanveer Sangha
Quinton’s smooth strokeplay could be tested by Sangha’s leg-spin, especially if the youngster gets some turn under the lights.

Michael Bracewell vs Shadley van Schalkwyk
Bracewell can change the game in a flash, but Shadley’s knack for tight spells could force him into an error when it matters most.

ALSO READ:MLC 2025: LAKR vs MINY Dream11 Prediction 24th Match Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI

LAKR vs MINY Probable Playing XIs:

Los Angeles Knight Riders Probable Playing XIs

MI New York Probable Playing XIs

Nicholas Pooran (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Monank Patel, Kieron Pollard, Michael Bracewell, Tajinder Dhillon, George Linde, Sunny Patel, Ehsan Adil, Trent Boult, Rushil Ugarkar

 When Washington Freedom and Texas Super Kings meet head to head during a high-voltage league match of Major League Cricket 2025 it’s not just the points where they are fighting for. With both sides competing for playoff berths, this isn’t just any old game it’s a must-win, high-stakes showdown with big names, combustible form and a febrile Dallas crowd adding to the intensity.

For Texas, the equation is simple: lean on their international core of match-winners like Faf du Plessis and Devon Conway, set the tone early, and let the firepower do the talking. But Washington aren’t pushovers  they come packed with pace, leadership, and fearless strokeplay.If Glenn Phillips has the ability to take a game away from anyone, while the Henriques-led side has a disciplined bowling group, this is a side that can soak up pressure and hit back hard.

What makes this contest so appealing is its equilibrium  star-studded but evenly matched, aggressive but tactical. With playoff qualification becoming tighter each day, expect every ball to matter under the lights at Grand Prairie.

 Match Details – MLC 2025

• Match: Washington Freedom vs Texas Super Kings

• Date: Wednesday, July 3, 2025

• Time: 7:30 PM Local | 5:00 AM IST (Thursday, July 4)

• Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas

 Where to Watch – Live Streaming Info

United States: Willow TV (TV), ESPN+ (App)
India: Streaming on JioCinema / FanCode (TBC)
UK: TNT Sports (TV), Discovery+ (App)
Australia: Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports
Caribbean: ESPN Caribbean
No official TV broadcast confirmed for India yet.

ALSO READ: PTS vs CBG Dream11 Prediction Today Match 17 ST. Lucia T10 Blast

WF vs TSK Probable Playing XIs:

Washington Freedom:
Glenn Phillips, Moises Henriques (c), Andries Gous (wk), Travis Head, Obus Pienaar, Akeal Hosein, Adam Milne, Anrich Nortje, Saurabh Netravalkar, Dane Piedt, Mukhtar Ahmed

Texas Super Kings:
Faf du Plessis (c), Devon Conway (wk), Marcus Stoinis, David Miller, Aaron Hardie, Daniel Sams, Lahiru Milantha, Mohammad Mohsin, Gerald Coetzee, Zia-ul-Haq, Calvin Savage

The stage is set at Grand Prairie Stadium for one of the most anticipated clashes of MLC 2025. It’s Washington Freedom vs Texas Super Kings  two powerhouse franchises, one high-pressure night. With playoff qualification hanging in the balance, both sides will be desperate to deliver a flawless performance. TSK bring with them a perfect mix of international power and local grit, while Washington will back their explosive batting core and a pace attack that can rip through any lineup. Buckle up  this isn’t just a game. It’s a battle of belief, strategy, and nerves.

Match Details – League Stage | MLC 2025

• Match: Washington Freedom vs Texas Super Kings

• Date: Wednesday, July 3, 2025

• Time: 7:30 PM Local | 5:00 AM IST (July 4)

• Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas

 Spotlight: Key Players to Watch

 Washington Freedom (WF)

Glenn Phillips – Pure box office. Phillips brings fearless hitting, lightning-quick hands, and a flair for the dramatic. If he gets set, expect balls flying out of Dallas.

Moises Henriques – The brain behind the brawn. As captain, Henriques is calm under fire and lethal with both bat and ball  the kind of cricketer you trust in clutch moments.

Akeal Hosein – Tidy, tactical, and a master of pressure. His left-arm spin can freeze even the best middle orders with subtle turn and no freebies.

Anrich Nortje – Raw pace, serious heat. Nortje’s short balls and toe-crushers can dismantle top orders before they know what hit them.

Adam Milne – The Kiwi quick adds balance with clever change-ups and new-ball threat. He’s the silent destroyer in this well-oiled machine.

 Texas Super Kings (TSK)

Faf du Plessis – The leader and the firestarter. Faf brings experience, aggression, and calm to the top  a nightmare for new-ball bowlers.

Devon Conway – Cool, classy, and clinical. Conway is the anchor in the storm, capable of crafting a chase or anchoring the innings under pressure.

Marcus Stoinis – Raw power with a game sense. Whether it’s the 10th over or the 20th, Stoinis can flip the match on its head in just a few hits.

Zia-ul-Haq – The death-over specialist. With laser-focused yorkers and a deadly slower one, Zia is the man TSK turn to when the game gets tense.

Gerald Coetzee – Brings South African speed and aggression. A true strike bowler, Coetzee isn’t afraid to rattle stumps or chins.

ALSO READ: ZIM vs SA 2025: Keshav Maharaj ruled out of second Test due to groin strain, Mulder to lead

 WF vs TSK Predicted Playing XIs

Washington Freedom (WF) Probable XI:
Glenn Phillips, Moises Henriques (c), Andries Gous (wk), Travis Head, Obus Pienaar, Akeal Hosein, Adam Milne, Anrich Nortje, Saurabh Netravalkar, Dane Piedt, Mukhtar Ahmed

Texas Super Kings (TSK) Probable XI:
Faf du Plessis (c), Devon Conway (wk), Marcus Stoinis, David Miller, Aaron Hardie, Daniel Sams, Lahiru Milantha, Mohammad Mohsin, Gerald Coetzee, Zia-ul-Haq, Calvin Savage

The  Major League Cricket 2025 will be between San Francisco Unicorns  vs Texas Super Kings.There are a lot of exciting players from both countries and around the world on both teams, and this game should set the tone for the tournament. The game will take place in California at the storied Oakland Coliseum. As the league promises exciting action, big sixes, clever bowling, and the emergence of young stars, fans are anxiously awaiting the first ball. fans are anxiously awaiting the first ball. 

Match Details – SFU vs TSK, 10th Match, MLC 2025

• Match: San Francisco Unicorns  vs Texas Super Kings
• Date: June 21, 2025 (Saturday)
• Time: 5:30 AM IST
• Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium, Texas 🇺🇸
• Tournament: Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 – 10th Match

Faf du Plessis vs Haris Rauf
It’s experience vs raw pace.Faf has seen it all, but Haris Rauf bowls with serious speed and aggression. If Faf gets going, it could be trouble for SFU. But if Rauf gets him early, it’s game on.

Devon Conway vs Xavier Bartlett
A calm and steady batter vs a swing bowler who loves to strike early.Conway is great at building an innings, but Bartlett’s movement with the new ball could test him right from the start.

Jake Fraser-McGurk vs Noor Ahmad
Expect fireworks here.Jake loves attacking spin, but Noor Ahmad is tricky with his left-arm googlies. One mistake, and Jake could be walking back early.

Corey Anderson vs Daryl Mitchell
Two strong all-rounders who know how to handle pressure.If Anderson gets going, he can take the game away. But Mitchell’s clever bowling might just stop him before that happens.

Donovan Ferreira vs Haris Rauf (at the death)
Big hitter vs fast yorkers – a perfect death-overs clash.Ferreira can smash sixes for fun, but Rauf is deadly in the final overs with his pace and accuracy.

ALSO READ:MLC 2025: TSK vs SF Prediction– Match 10, Who will win today?

TSK vs SF Predicted Playing XI

TSK Playing XI 

Faf Du Plessis, Devon Conway, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Smit Patel, Milind Kumar, Donovan Ferreira, Daryl Mitchell, Joshua Tromp, Noor Ahmed, Akeal Hossein, Nandre Burger

SF Playing XI

Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Jake Fraser McGurk, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Cooper Conolly, Hassan Khan, Corey Anderson, Xavier Bartlett, Haris Rauf, Carmi le Roux, Juanoy Drysdale

The MI New York (NY) will play against the Seattle Orcas (SEA) on June 19, 2025, in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, which is the 9th T20 match that will be played at Oakland Coliseum, California, United States. The match will begin at 06:30 AM IST on June 19, 2025, making for an early morning match for both teams.

Match Details 

• Date: June 19, 2025  
• Time: 06:30 AM IST  
• Location: Oakland Coliseum, California, United States  
• Win% Batting first: 67%  
• Win% Bowling first: 33%  

Weather Report

Oakland is forecasted to be cool and a bit humid, with a temperature of around 10.5 degrees C. There is a 0% chance of any rain, so interruptions are unlikely. The forecast also shows moderate humidity at 96%, and light winds should not have an impact on play.

• Temperature: 10.5 °C  
• Winds: Light Breeze—has no real bearing on the play.
• Precipitation: 0% chance of rain—no delays are likely.
• Humidity: Moderate (96%)—Should have no significant bearing on either player or ball control.

Also Read:  ICC declines India’s request to host upcoming WTC final: Report

Pitch Report

The pitch at Oakland Coliseum is balanced, indicatively providing good performance for batters and bowlers alike. Often the pitch offers up good pace and bounce and is more favorable to fast bowlers, particularly early and in cool conditions around the mornings. Batters will be able to play any shot once settled, but the surface will slow down as play continues; therefore, spinners may become more effective as the game type shifts to day/night. The boundaries are average length and provide an equitable contest between bat and ball.

• Bowlers: likely assistance for pacers early, whereas spinners will become more effective later.
• Spinners: Most likely to be effective during the middle and later overs.
• Field Size: average boundary length for balanced and an equitable contest for batters and bowlers  

Venue Records

• Highest Team: 269 / 5 by SF vs WAS
• Lowest Team: 146 / 10 by WAS vs SF
• Average First Innings Score: Approx. 269 Runs