Unicorns Soar into MLC Playoffs: Short's Brilliance Fuels Undefeated Run, Orcas Plunge to Bottom

The San Francisco Unicorns secured their place in the MLC 2025 playoffs, triumphing over the Seattle Orcas by 32 runs in Dallas on Wednesday night. The Unicorns remain undefeated, boasting a perfect record of six wins, solidifying their lead in the tournament standings. The Orcas, however, suffered their fifth consecutive loss and remain at the bottom of the table.

San Francisco Unicorns players celebrate their dominant win, securing a spot in the playoffs.

Matthew Short and Romario Shepherd delivered stellar all-round performances, complemented by Haris Rauf's impressive four-wicket haul, leading the Unicorns to victory.

After being put in to bat, the Unicorns lost Finn Allen early. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Short then forged a 68-run partnership for the second wicket, stabilizing the innings and injecting momentum. McGurk was dismissed for a quickfire 34 off 21 balls by Harmeet Singh, triggering a collapse that saw the Unicorns slump from 86 for 1 to 103 for 6. Short, after smashing seven fours and two sixes in his 29-ball innings, was dismissed for 52 by Harmeet, who also removed Hassan Khan in the same over.

Shepherd then propelled the Unicorns to a competitive total of 176 for 8, smashing four sixes and four fours in his 56 off 31 balls. Gerald Coetzee contributed with 3 for 34, claiming crucial middle-order wickets.

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

Shayan Jahangir provided early impetus, scoring 40 off 22 balls with a series of impressive shots. However, Shepherd dismissed Jahangir in the seventh over, breaking the opening stand.

In the following over, Short struck twice, 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 earlier dismissed Heinrich Klaasen, wrapped up the innings by removing Coetzee and Hetmyer in the 16th over and Cameron Gannon in the 18th, finishing with 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)