Did Finn Allen Set MLC 2025 Ablaze with a Record-Breaking Ton as SF Unicorns Thrashed Freedom?

California, June 13 (NationPress) Finn Allen captivated audiences on the inaugural night of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 with a groundbreaking performance, scoring an astonishing 151 runs off just 51 balls to lead the San Francisco Unicorns to a formidable 123-run victory against the defending champions, Washington Freedom.

Allen's explosive innings shattered multiple records. He became the fastest player to reach 150 runs in T20 history and surpassed Chris Gayle’s long-held record of 18 sixes in a T20 match by hitting the boundary 19 times. His onslaught initiated right from the first over, showcasing an audacious lap shot for his first six.

Though Tim Seifert contributed with a brief appearance and Jake Fraser-McGurk had a disappointing outing, Allen's dominance was palpable. Sanjay Krishnamurthi added to the excitement with four sixes in one over off Rachin Ravindra—a feat Ravindra replicated later in the innings.

Allen achieved three consecutive sixes off both Mitchell Owen and fellow Kiwi Glenn Phillips, reaching a remarkable 86 runs off just 28 balls. His century, recorded in a mere 34 deliveries, established a new MLC benchmark, eclipsing Nicholas Pooran’s previous record of a 40-ball century. With seven overs remaining, Allen relentlessly piled on runs, and upon hitting his 18th six, the Unicorns had already set the highest total in MLC history.

He reached his 150 in just 49 balls, breaking new ground in T20 cricket. Although Gayle’s record for the highest individual score in T20s was under threat, Allen's remarkable innings concluded when he misdirected one to long-on. Hassan Khan then added the finishing touches with an unbeaten 38, propelling the Unicorns to an impressive total of 270 runs.

Washington Freedom began their chase with promise as Mitchell Owen and Rachin Ravindra accumulated 79 runs in the first five overs. However, their momentum faltered after Fraser-McGurk executed a stunning catch, and a mix-up led to both openers departing in quick succession.

From a solid start of 80/0, Freedom crumbled to 117/8, with the innings collapsing swiftly. Haris Rauf played a pivotal role, trapping Glenn Maxwell lbw and dismissing Phillips in the same over. Hassan Khan and Carmie le Roux joined the wicket-taking spree as Freedom lost wickets in clusters, at one point, two per over. Rauf concluded the innings with his third wicket, sealing a comprehensive victory with 41 balls to spare, marking a commendable start for the Unicorns in their campaign.

Final scores: San Francisco Unicorns 269/5 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 151, Hassan Khan 38*; Jack Edwards 2-39) defeated Washington Freedom 146/10 in 13.1 overs (Rachin Ravindra 42, Mitchell Owen 39; Haris Rauf 3-30) by 123 runs.