In the much-anticipated San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom clash that kicked off MLC 2025, fans expected fireworks — and Finn Allen lit the whole Oakland Coliseum on fire. With a thundering 269/5, the Unicorns posted the highest-ever total in MLC history, then dismantled Freedom for a mere 146 in 13.1 overs. A 123-run annihilation in T20 cricket is like showing up to a swordfight with a flamethrower.
💥 Finn Allen: Unicorn or Super Saiyan?
Allen’s innings was nothing short of supernatural. Timing? Impeccable. Power? Ruthless. Boundaries? Too many to count. Freedom’s bowlers were reduced to bystanders as Allen bludgeoned his way to the Player of the Match title.
“I reckon good bats,” Allen said with a grin. That, or Thor’s hammer.
From elegant drives down the ground to flat-batted bombs over long-off, Allen made the short boundaries feel like a joke. With Seifert by his side and a dream wicket underfoot, the Unicorns turned batting into performance art.
🎯 Washington’s False Dawn & Haris Rauf’s Venom
Freedom started like a team chasing 270 for breakfast, cruising at 80/0. Rachin Ravindra and Andries Gous gave a glimmer of hope. But once Plunkett broke the opening stand, it all fell apart faster than your New Year’s fitness goals.
From 125/9 to 146 all out, it was a textbook collapse. Credit to Haris Rauf, Hassan Khan, and Carmi le Roux, who bowled like they had a personal vendetta. Rauf’s mix of 150+ thunderbolts and venomous slower balls cleaned up Freedom like a data wipe.
🏟️ Oakland Coliseum: Heaven for Batters, Purgatory for Bowlers
The pitch was a dream if you had a bat in hand and a nightmare if you wore bowling spikes. The short boundaries were a bowler’s curse, but only if you didn’t get your lengths right — which, to be honest, Washington didn’t.
Glenn Maxwell, Freedom’s skipper, acknowledged the chaos:
“We had set plans… but Finn Allen overpowered us.”
Translation: The plan was good, the execution not so much.
💸 Betting Buzz: What Did the 188bet Markets Say?
Bookmakers like 188bet had the odds tilting slightly in the Unicorns’ favor pre-match, given the explosive top order. But even the sharpest odds-setters didn’t foresee a 123-run blowout. Prop bets on Allen to top-score, or Rauf to grab multiple wickets, would’ve made savvy punters some serious coin.
📈 Pro tip: Keep an eye on the Oakland pitch trends. High totals could become the norm — a goldmine for over/under bettors.
🔮 What This Means for MLC 2025
If this game was any indication, this year’s Major League Cricket is set to be high-octane and unpredictable. The Unicorns have thrown down the gauntlet. The only question is: who’s brave enough to pick it up?
🧠 FAQs – What Others Are Asking
San Francisco Unicorns scored 269/5, and Washington Freedom were bowled out for 146, resulting in a 123-run win for the Unicorns.
Finn Allen earned the award for his explosive innings, demolishing Freedom’s bowling attack.
After a solid start, they lost key wickets rapidly due to pressure, smart bowling changes, and exceptional spells from Rauf and Hassan Khan.
Yes. With short boundaries and a flat pitch, it heavily favors batters — especially in night games.
Sportsbooks like 188bet offer a variety of cricket betting markets, including match winners, top scorers, and over/under totals.
Captain Glenn Maxwell hinted Ferguson is recovering well. His return could give the Freedom bowling a much-needed boost.
✅ Final Thoughts: Unicorns Gallop Ahead
The San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom showdown wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. If Finn Allen continues this form and the Unicorns bowl like they did post-Powerplay, the rest of MLC 2025 might just be a highlight reel in red and silver.
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