Hassan Khan: Heroics Power SF Unicorns to MLC Semis, as San Francisco secured the top spot in Major League Cricket by chasing down 191 against Seattle Orcas in a thrilling last-over finish. The Unicorns needed 47 runs from the final four overs before Khan turned the game around, smashing consecutive sixes off Tanveer Sangha and then dismantling Marcus Stoinis with a sequence of six, four, four, and six. His unbeaten cameo sealed the win, booking their semifinal berth and eliminating Seattle from playoff contention.
Earlier in the chase, Finn Allen set a solid foundation with a quick half-century, putting San Francisco at 99 for 1 after 10 overs. Matt Short provided support, but the momentum shifted after Allen’s dismissal. Seattle’s bowlers tightened the game, with Stoinis taking a sharp catch to remove Short. The Unicorns then slowed down, managing only 32 runs between the 11th and 16th overs. Short struggled to maintain the scoring rate before hitting back-to-back boundaries, but his dismissal gave Seattle hope until Hassan Khan turned the match.
In Seattle’s innings, Matthew Breetzke led the fightback with 65 runs off 32 balls, partnering with Shimron Hetmyer. Hetmyer was dismissed after Xavier Bartlett took an outstanding catch at long-on. Breetzke reached his half-century from 24 balls and shared another partnership with Stoinis, who finished with 49 from 35 balls. Cameron Gannon’s late sixes helped Seattle post 190, but Breetzke admitted his side fell short, saying they were 30 runs short at the halfway stage.
Hassan Khan’s explosive batting was the difference, as San Francisco finished atop the table. They will now join Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York, and Washington Freedom in the playoffs.