The Seattle Orcas’ skipper Heinrich Klaasen won the toss and elected to bowl first against the San Francisco Unicorns, who made full use of the opportunity to set a challenging target. The Unicorns posted a solid total of 176/8 in their 20 overs, thanks to aggressive half-centuries from Matthew Short and Romario Shepherd. Short provided early momentum with a blazing 52 off just 29 balls, laced with seven boundaries and two sixes, laying the foundation for a competitive score.
Romario Shepherd carried the momentum forward in the latter part of the innings after a mid-innings collapse, smashing 56 runs off 31 balls. His innings featured four sixes and four fours, giving the Unicorns a much-needed boost towards the end.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, the Unicorns added crucial runs in the final overs to reach a defendable total. For the Orcas, Gerald Coetzee and Harmeet Singh were the pick of the bowlers, keeping the Unicorns under pressure at various stages.
In response, the Orcas struggled against a fiery bowling attack led by Haris Rauf. Although they started well, their innings lost steam quickly, collapsing to 144 all out in just 18.2 overs. Rauf spearheaded the attack with a match-winning spell, taking 4 wickets for 32 runs, while also bowling 10 dot balls to choke the scoring. His ability to generate pace and accuracy under pressure proved too much for the Orcas’ middle and lower order.
A major highlight of the match came in the 16th over during a fiery exchange between Rauf and Gerald Coetzee. After Coetzee lofted Rauf for a clean six off the first ball, the Pakistani pacer responded immediately with a lethal 90mph yorker.
The delivery uprooted the off stump, ending Coetzee’s short five-ball cameo and electrifying the crowd with its sheer brilliance. The moment showcased Rauf’s ability to bounce back and make an impact under pressure.
SIX ➡️ OUT
— Cognizant Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) June 26, 2025
Harris Rauf gets his revenge on Gerald Coetzee ⚡ pic.twitter.com/8ttk2qzfZh
Haris Rauf finished as the most successful bowler of the match and arguably its MVP. His four-wicket haul was not only instrumental in sealing the win but also reaffirmed his importance to the Unicorns’ campaign. With playoffs around the corner and pace-friendly pitches in the USA, Rauf’s form could be a major advantage for the San Francisco side as they push toward the MLC 2025 title.