By Tim Douglas 
San Francisco Unicorns continued their dominance in Major League Cricket 2025 with a commanding 47-run victory over MI New York, thanks to a scintillating display by Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk at Grand Prairie Stadium.
Batting first, Matthew Short delivered yet another MVP-worthy performance. His 91 off 43 deliveries, filled with clean, clinical hitting, laid the foundation for a mammoth Unicorns total. His strokeplay was elegant yet punishing, punishing every error in line or length from the New York bowlers.
Despite missing key opener Finn Allen, the Unicorns found momentum in the form of Fraser-McGurk, who unleashed a brutal 64 off just 26 balls. He cleared the ropes seven times, including some monstrous hits that had the Dallas crowd roaring.
The onslaught didn’t stop there. Rising U.S. talent Hassan Khan chipped in with a blistering 31 off only 9 balls*, ensuring the Unicorns breached the 240-run mark for the fourth time this season — finishing at an imposing 246/4.
Chasing such a massive target required a fearless start, and MI New York’s openers Quinton de Kock (70) and Monank Patel (60) answered the call early. Their 119-run opening stand in under 10 overs momentarily ignited hopes of a record chase.
However, the Unicorns struck back just in time. Liam Plunkett broke the partnership by dismissing Patel, which triggered a shift in momentum. While de Kock kept swinging, the middle order crumbled under scoreboard pressure.
Captain Nicholas Pooran, known for his finishing abilities, struggled to find rhythm in a rare off-night, and his slow scoring proved costly. From the 10th to the 15th over, New York managed just three boundaries, allowing the Unicorns’ bowling unit — led by Xavier Bartlett and Romario Shepherd — to seize control.
Despite a late push from Kieron Pollard (34), MI New York’s effort fizzled out at 199/6, well short of the mammoth target.
This emphatic win keeps the San Francisco Unicorns unbeaten, solidly placed at the top of the MLC 2025 points table. They next face the struggling Seattle Orcas, who are yet to register momentum this season.
For MI New York, this defeat adds to their inconsistent campaign. With a crucial break ahead, they’ll look to reset before facing the Orcas on Friday in what could be a must-win clash.
Match Summary:
San Francisco Unicorns: 246/4 (Matthew Short 91, Fraser-McGurk 64, Hassan Khan 31*, Pollard 2/31)
MI New York: 199/6 (Quinton de Kock 70, Monank Patel 60, Pollard 34, Bartlett 2/35, Shepherd 2/30)
Result: San Francisco Unicorns won by 47 runs
Anas Ahmed