233/10 (18.5)
CR : 12.37
243/3 (19.0)
CR : 12.79
Los Angeles Knight Riders won by 11 runs (DLS METHOD) 🏆
Player of the Match
Andre Fletcher
118(58)
Romario Shepherd
30 yrs
Best56
Innings32
Runs418
SR140.74
Avg19.90
Over 19
San Francisco Unicorns 233/9
Romario Shepherd
Brody Couch10(3)
Shadley van Schalkwyk2-44(2.5)
LAKR won by 11 runs (DLS METHOD)
9:15 AM IST, 11:45 PM Local Time: LA Knight Riders have won the match by 11 runs.
And this is it from the last league stage match of the MLC 2025 season. Matthew Short, captain of San Francisco Unicorns, won the toss and decided to bowl first. This was a dead rubber for LA Knight Riders, but for the Unicorns, top 2 finish was on the line.
LA Knight Riders lost the toss and were sent out to bat first. Right from the first over, the two openers for the Knight Riders - Alex Hales and Andre Fletcher revealed their intentions. Alex Hales took off first, scoring 29 runs off an over of Ben Lister, who ended up at 58 off 26 balls.
Following his departure, Sherfane Rutherford picked up from where Hales had left. He along with Andre Fletcher built another gigantic partnership. The opening partnership ended at 94 runs and the first wicket partnership scored 97 runs. Sherfane Rutherford departed at 49 off 28 balls.
Andre Fletcher stood firm till the very end, scoring at the same pace throughout the innings. He scored his second century of the season, and ended up at 118 off 58 balls. Romario Shepherd hurt himself while fielding and was taken to the hospital for scans. An outburst of rain in between the innings, costed us an over each, as this game has been restricted to 19 overs a side.
The DLS target was 245 runs.
While chasing 245, San Francisco Unicorns were off to a horrible start. Three of the major run scorers for the side departed in the first 3 overs. Debutant Karthik Gattepalli was off to a dream start, as he struck twice in the very first over.
This was followed by a magnificient partnership, fueled by bravery and luck, between Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Hassan Khan. An 82 run stand between the two, with around 5 dropped catches.
Hassan Khan departed after a well made 35 off just 17 balls. And Hammad Azam picked up from where Hassan had left. He stuck around with Sanjay to drag the innings forward. An 87 runs stand between the two, brought the Unicorns into a position where they could dream.
Sanjay Krishnamurthi departed for 92 off 40 balls, falling short of his century by just 8 runs. This brought Xavier Bartlett in, who in turn come out all guns blazing.
The game, unlike the start, went down to the wire, with the Unicorns just falling short by 11 runs. This means that they have slipped up from the top 2 spots and will play the eliminator where MI New York are waiting for them. Texas Super Kings along side Washington Freedom have made it to the top2 and will be playing the qualifier 1.
And this is it from the last league stage match of the MLC 2025 season. Matthew Short, captain of San Francisco Unicorns, won the toss and decided to bowl first. This was a dead rubber for LA Knight Riders, but for the Unicorns, top 2 finish was on the line.
LA Knight Riders lost the toss and were sent out to bat first. Right from the first over, the two openers for the Knight Riders - Alex Hales and Andre Fletcher revealed their intentions. Alex Hales took off first, scoring 29 runs off an over of Ben Lister, who ended up at 58 off 26 balls.
Following his departure, Sherfane Rutherford picked up from where Hales had left. He along with Andre Fletcher built another gigantic partnership. The opening partnership ended at 94 runs and the first wicket partnership scored 97 runs. Sherfane Rutherford departed at 49 off 28 balls.
Andre Fletcher stood firm till the very end, scoring at the same pace throughout the innings. He scored his second century of the season, and ended up at 118 off 58 balls. Romario Shepherd hurt himself while fielding and was taken to the hospital for scans. An outburst of rain in between the innings, costed us an over each, as this game has been restricted to 19 overs a side.
The DLS target was 245 runs.
While chasing 245, San Francisco Unicorns were off to a horrible start. Three of the major run scorers for the side departed in the first 3 overs. Debutant Karthik Gattepalli was off to a dream start, as he struck twice in the very first over.
This was followed by a magnificient partnership, fueled by bravery and luck, between Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Hassan Khan. An 82 run stand between the two, with around 5 dropped catches.
Hassan Khan departed after a well made 35 off just 17 balls. And Hammad Azam picked up from where Hassan had left. He stuck around with Sanjay to drag the innings forward. An 87 runs stand between the two, brought the Unicorns into a position where they could dream.
Sanjay Krishnamurthi departed for 92 off 40 balls, falling short of his century by just 8 runs. This brought Xavier Bartlett in, who in turn come out all guns blazing.
The game, unlike the start, went down to the wire, with the Unicorns just falling short by 11 runs. This means that they have slipped up from the top 2 spots and will play the eliminator where MI New York are waiting for them. Texas Super Kings along side Washington Freedom have made it to the top2 and will be playing the qualifier 1.
Matthew Short (San Francisco Unicorns Captain): "(Whether he is happy with the fight or disappointed about the loss) It is a good question. Obviously, a great fight-back with the bat, the middle-order stepped up and was pleasing to see the local guys get runs. We gave away too many runs, too many freebies but yeah we are in the play-offs, have to focus on that. Our whole batting order is getting the job done but we are missing out with the ball which is costing us games.
(On the injuries) Unfortunate for Romario, our thoughts with him and Haris Rauf is also out with his hamstring injury. However, we have the depth to cover for. Looking forward to a new-look side during the play-offs."
(On the injuries) Unfortunate for Romario, our thoughts with him and Haris Rauf is also out with his hamstring injury. However, we have the depth to cover for. Looking forward to a new-look side during the play-offs."
Time for the Post-match Presentation!
Andre Fletcher has been named as the 'MVP of the Match'.
Andre Fletcher (MVP of the Match): "(Strategy at the start of the innings) Was just trying to give myself some time. Looked to be as positive as possible and Hales got off to a good start also. (About the pitch) It was a touch slow, had to hold our shape as much as possible. They bowled a few deliveries in the slot but having said that, we batted really well.
Looking to back my ability, been playing for a long time, so the experience comes in. I am 37 years old, but thankfully I am not moving like a 37-yr old."
Looking to back my ability, been playing for a long time, so the experience comes in. I am 37 years old, but thankfully I am not moving like a 37-yr old."
Jason Holder (Los Angeles Knight Riders Captain): "Feels good to get over the line albeit it was a very close game. The way we batted was excellent. Fletch (Andre Fletcher) with a century, Hales gave the start and then Sherfane (Sherfane Rutherford) had a good partnership as well.
I don't think we were as good as we should have been with the ball but we did create some chances and put them down. It has been a headache for us throughout the season. We have had a lot of positives but haven't been able to put on a complete game. Even today, don't think we had a perfect game.
I just want to say a special thanks to all the fans who supported us at all the venues. I don't think this struggle will last for long, we will come back stronger."
I don't think we were as good as we should have been with the ball but we did create some chances and put them down. It has been a headache for us throughout the season. We have had a lot of positives but haven't been able to put on a complete game. Even today, don't think we had a perfect game.
I just want to say a special thanks to all the fans who supported us at all the venues. I don't think this struggle will last for long, we will come back stronger."
So, that is it from myself, Karthik Raj, my co-commentator, Utsav and our scorers for this match, Ghanendra and Dushyant. Do stay tuned to Crickxo and follow the coverage of a lot more exciting cricket matches on Monday!