Thu. Jul 10th, 2025

MLC 2025: Xavier Bartlett's Heroics Secure 3-Wicket Win for SF Unicorns

Perhaps the most riveting match in MLC 2025 saw Xavier Bartlett pull an extraordinary performance out of nowhere to lead the San Francisco Unicorns to a 3-wicket victory over MI New York (MINY). The game had everything – drama, stunning performances, and a turnaround that kept fans guessing until the end.

Bartlett's Match-Winning Blitz

With the Unicorns at 108 for 6 in the 13th over on a chase of 183, the Unicorns were up against it. But from nowhere, Xavier Bartlett unleashed an explosive innings of 59* off 25 balls that swung the game in their direction and powered the San Francisco Unicorns to 188/7 in 19.1 overs and a nail-biting 3-wicket win with five balls to spare.

Xavier Bartlett’s 59* off 25 balls* included numerous bludgeoning sixes and filthy aggressive stroke play against MI New York’s bowling lineup.

MINY’s Strong Start

MI New York chose to bat first. Quinton de Kock looked magnificent with the bat opening the innings with a blistering knock of 63 off 38 balls. Even when Agni Chopra, Monank Patel, and Nicholas Pooran had failed before, de Kock looked like he ensured MINY would give themselves a strong base yet again.

Kieron Pollard later added to the momentum by hammering four boundaries in a single over off Hassan Khan in the 16th over. In the 18th over, Sunny Patel chipped in with three quick boundaries, helping MINY post a competitive total of 182/7.

Top Performer (MINY): Quinton de Kock – 63 (38 balls)

Unicorns’ Rocky Start in the Chase

Finn Allen’s explosive start gave the Unicorns a solid foundation by smashing Trent Boult for 2 sixes in the first over. However, momentum was quickly lost when Naveen-ul-Haq dismissed Allen in the very next over and triggered a top-order collapse that saw Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Cooper Connolly all depart stupidly. By the end of the powerplay, Unicorns were a precarious 42 for 4.

The significant top-order collapse had put immense pressure on the middle-order and looked grim for Unicorns.

Hassan Khan and Tim Seifert Steady the Ship

Tim Seifert was struggling to find any rhythm early on but Hassan Khan counter-attacked with some exciting batting, scoring a blistering 43 off 17 balls hitting five enormous sixes. The two put on a crucial partnership of 64 runs from 31 balls and kept some chance of chasing down the target alive.

Hassan Khan’s 43 (17 balls) was crucial and really lit the chase that seemed lost after his dismissal.

However, both Seifert and Hassan fell soon after, and Corey Anderson underwhelmed scoring a torturous 9 from 13 balls. With wickets falling at a rapid rate and the required rate climbing, there was now pressure on Xavier Bartlett.

Bartlett’s Heroics Light Up the Stadium

The turning point of the match came in the 15th over, as Bartlett took 25 runs off Michael Bracewell and gave the Unicorns the momentum they would’ve been looking for. He managed to build on this momentum by taking down Trent Boult, taking a further 16 runs off his relying on the adrenaline of the moment to put pressure back on MINY.

Bartlett hadn’t lost Anderson, still stayed calm and went after the bowlers with no fear whatsoever. The ultimate climax came on Kieron Pollard’s slower ball, finishing the match with a 6 over long-on. An emphatic victory indeed.

Winning moment: Bartlett’s 6 off Pollard sent the Unicorns to a third consecutive win.

Bowling Highlights

On the part of MI New York, Naveen-ul-Haq (2-28) and Ehsan Adil (2-43) were the standout bowlers. The Unicorns were under intense pressure after losing their wickests early, but in the end, they couldn’t stop Bartlett.

On the flip side, we had Haris Rauf finishing the game well with outstanding figures of 2-24, to keep MI New York to a reasonable total.

Top Bowler (Unicorns): Haris Rauf – 2/24

Top Bowler (MINY): Naveen-ul-Haq – 2/28

Brief Scores

MI New York: 182/7 in 20 overs

Quinton de Kock 63, Kieron Pollard 30
Haris Rauf 2-24, Hassan Khan 2-54

San Francisco Unicorns: 188/7 in 19.1 overs

Xavier Bartlett 59*, Hassan Khan 43
Naveen-ul-Haq 2-28, Ehsan Adil 2-43

Turning Points of the Match

Bartlett’s 25-run over off Bracewell.
Hassan Khan’s counterattack partnership with Seifert.
Trent Boult’s expensive 17th over (16 runs).
Bartlett’s final six off Pollard to seal the win.

Impact on MLC 2025 Standings

This third consecutive win shows that the San Francisco Unicorns are reigning supreme in the MLC 2025 points table, while MI New York has to contend with two back-to-back losses.

The Unicorns are clearly one of the teams to watch out for in MLC 2025.

Player of the Match: Xavier Bartlett

No arguments about the Player of the Match – Xavier Bartlett for his match-winning 59, and his phenomenal control under pressure.

“It was just about backing myself, and staying calm. Glad to get the team over the line,” Bartlett said after the match.

Conclusion

This clash between the San Francisco Unicorns and MI New York in MLC 2025 will also go down in history as one of the most exhilarating matches so far, not just for the tournament but for cricket in North America. Xavier Bartlett brought the house down in a heart-pumping finish, with backing from some career-best hitting by Hassan Khan, displaying how far the Unicorns side is growing in depth and confidence.

For MI New York it is a time to take stock and come together again, and rethink any plans they had for the bowling strategies in the death overs. If this is the type of thrilling action we have in store, so far, as we are more than halfway through the tournament, it just goes to show the growing respect and credibility being added to Major League Cricket.

Stay tuned – as more MLC 2025 is coming every day, and more record book moments are about to happen!