Lhuan-dre Pretorius turned San Francisco Unicorns’ chase into a statement result as the MLC table shifted again in Oakland.
The wicketkeeper-batter struck 66 from 26 balls, reaching fifty in just 16 deliveries, as San Francisco ran down Washington Freedom’s 190 for four with 29 balls unused. The eight-wicket win carried the Unicorns to the top of Major League Cricket and sharpened a fast-moving race already reshaped by Seattle Orcas’ Shanaka-led surge.
Pretorius And Allen Break The Chase Open
Washington had been well placed after Andries Gous’ unbeaten 83 gave them a serious total. San Francisco made it look light. Pretorius and Finn Allen launched the reply to 104 for one in the powerplay, with Allen making 45 before Matthew Short and Aaron Hardie closed the chase at 193 for two in 15.1 overs. Allen’s wider short-form form has already been visible in Australia this year, where his BBL hitting for Perth Scorchers hardened his franchise value.
- Washington Freedom: 190/4 from 20 overs
- San Francisco Unicorns: 193/2 from 15.1 overs
- Result: San Francisco won by eight wickets
- Key blow: Pretorius’ 16-ball half-century
Cricket World’s score summary logged Pretorius’ seven sixes, while ESPNcricinfo also framed the opening stand as the decisive rupture.
San Francisco now look less like a streak team and more like the most explosive chasing side in the competition. For Washington, the warning is blunt: even 190 is no longer protection when Pretorius gets a clean powerplay.
