Mitchell Owen's Five-Wicket Haul Stuns Unicorns, Powers Freedom to Victory in MLC 2025

Mitchell Owen of Washington Freedom celebrates getting the wicket of Brody Couch of San Francisco Unicorns during match 19 of the Cognizant Major League Cricket season 3 between Washington Freedom and San Francisco Unicorns held at the Grand Prairie cricket stadium, Grand Prairie, United States of America (USA). (Sportzpics)

The San Francisco Unicorns' impressive run in MLC 2025 has been halted, despite their continued reign at the top of the leaderboard, they maintain their position on net run rate. A stunning five-wicket haul from Mitchell Owen propelled Washington Freedom to a 12-run victory in Dallas on Saturday.

Unicorns captain Matthew Short kept up his stellar batting form as his side pursued a target of 170. The target seemed achievable given recent high-scoring matches. Despite minimal support from Finn Allen and Jake Fraser-McGurk, the Unicorns reached 52 for 1 during the powerplay.

Short eventually found support from Sanjay Krishnamurthi, but after Short was dismissed in the 11th over for a dominant 67, the chase quickly fell apart. With only 73 runs needed, the Unicorns' middle order seemed to be in control.

Then Owen took command with the ball. He removed Short in his first over and then dismissed Hassan Khan and Romario Shepherd in successive deliveries soon after. Assisted by wickets from Jack Edwards and Ian Holland, the Unicorns collapsed to 113 for 7 by the 16th over.

Owen returned in the 19th over to clean up tailenders Haris Rauf and Brody Couch, ending with impressive figures of 5 for 17.

With 27 needed off the final over, Jahmar Hamilton fought bravely with an unbeaten 31 from 18 balls, but Saurabh Netravalkar held his nerve, conceding only 14 runs to secure the win.

Earlier, after choosing to bat, Freedom were in trouble at 13 for 3 inside three overs, thanks to a fiery opening spell from Xavier Bartlett, who removed Owen (first ball), Rachin Ravindra, and Andries Gous.

Glenn Maxwell fell cheaply, but Jack Edwards and Glenn Phillips steadied things with a 71-run stand off 64 balls. Phillips then shifted gears during a 31-run partnership in just 12 deliveries with Obus Pienaar. After Phillips departed for a 39-ball 58, Pienaar finished with an unbeaten 37 off 16 balls alongside Mukhtar Ahmed.

Both teams now share six wins in seven matches, though the Unicorns boast a commanding net run rate advantage—2.016 compared to Washington’s 0.603.

Brief Scores

Washington Freedom: 169/6 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 58, Jack Edwards 42, Obus Pienaar 30*; Xavier Bartlett 32/4, Romario Shepherd 28/1)

San Francisco Unicorns: 157/9 in 20 overs (Matthew Short 67, Jahmar Hamilton 31*, Sanjay Krishnamurthi 24; Mitchell Owen 17/5, Ian Holland 23/1, Amila Aponso 23/1)