DALLAS: Finn Allen’s quickfire century was enough to propel San Francisco Unicorns into the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 final as Texas Super Kings fell short by 10 runs in the Challenger here at Grand Prairie Stadium on Friday.
Super Kings’ captain Faf du Plessis’ decision to put Unicorns into bat first did not turn out to be beneficial for his side as they registered a massive total on the board.
The Unicorns finished their innings at 200/6 in the allotted 20 overs with Allen leading the charge with a quick hundred.
The New Zealand international went after the Super Kings’ bowlers from the word go and went on to smash nine fours and five sixes amid his sensational knock that lasted in the 14th over.
Finn Allen remained the top-scorer for the Unicorns with a 53-ball 101.
Wicketkeeper batter Josh Inglis then made sure to keep the momentum going in the Unicorns’ favour with a brisk cameo.
All-rounder Hassan Khan supported Inglis as the two shared an important 34-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Inglis perished in the penultimate over after a 25-ball 37 while Khan made an unbeaten 27 off 15 deliveries.
Noor Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers for the Super Kings, picking up three wickets while Ottneil Baartman, Marcus Stoinis and Mohammad Mohsin made one scalp each.
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In response, the Super Kings could manage 190/4 in their quota of 20 overs despite a flying start.
Their skipper du Plessis smashed the Unicorns’ bowlers all around the ground right from the start and gave his side a solid platform to chase down the total.
But a stunning catch from Corey Anderson off Carmi le Roux drew curtains on his blazing knock in the fifth over with 55 runs on the board.
Faf du Plessis scored 45 off just 22 deliveries, hitting seven fours and a six.
His dismissal pushed the Super Kings to the backfoot as the scoring rate slowed down.
The home side lost three more wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 91/4 at the halfway mark.
Conway, who batted cautiously until that point, finally received some support from the other end in the form of Joshua Tromp.
The duo fought valiantly in the concluding phase of the match but despite putting up a hundred runs amid their unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership, failed to steer the Super Kings over the line.
Conway remained the top-scorer for the Super Kings with a gritty 62 off 38 deliveries, laced up with four fours and two sixes while Tromp made 56 not out in just 36 balls.
Juanoy Drysdale led the bowling attack for the Unicorns with two wickets while Hassan Khan and Carmi le Roux chipped in with a wicket apiece.
San Francisco Unicorns will face Washington Freedom in the MLC 2024 final, scheduled to take place at the same venue on Sunday.
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