Washington Freedom cruised to the final of the 2024 Major League Cricket with a dominant seven-wicket win over the San Francisco Unicorns in the Qualifier match held in Dallas. Led by Rachin Ravindra, Washington’s bowlers restricted the Unicorns to a modest total of 145. Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell then showcased explosive batting, guiding Washington to victory in just 15.3 overs. Head remained unbeaten on 77 off 44 balls, while Maxwell contributed with a quickfire 54 not out off 23 deliveries.
Travis Head was named Player of the Match for his stellar performance, expressing his satisfaction with the match-winning knock. Washington captain Steve Smith praised his team’s chemistry and execution, emphasizing the joy of reaching the final. San Francisco skipper Corey Anderson acknowledged his team’s shortcomings and vowed to bounce back in the upcoming Challenger match against the Texas Super Kings.
Washington’s bowlers, including Marco Jansen and Saurabh Netravalkar, set the tone with crucial early breakthroughs, while Rachin Ravindra’s impressive figures of 4/11 dismantled the San Francisco batting lineup. Despite efforts from Hassan Khan and Corey Anderson, the Unicorns fell short and were bowled out for 145.
The stage is now set for San Francisco to face the Texas Super Kings in the Challenger match for another shot at reaching the final and potentially setting up a rematch with Washington Freedom in the summit clash. The MLC 2024 Qualifier showcased thrilling cricket action and set the stage for an exciting climax to the tournament.
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