Finn Allen launched the 2025 edition of Major League Cricket (MLC) in spectacular fashion, smashing a jaw-dropping 151 off just 51 balls as the San Francisco Unicorns crushed Washington Freedom by 123 runs in a dominant opening-night performance.
In a rematch of last year’s final, the Unicorns turned the tables in style, with Allen producing a record-breaking knock that will be remembered for years. The New Zealand opener shattered multiple records, including the fastest 150 in T20 cricket and the most sixes in a T20 innings — 19, surpassing the legendary Chris Gayle’s mark of 18.
Allen’s assault began right from the opening over, as he cheekily lapped the first six of the tournament. He showed no mercy to the Freedom bowlers, launching a relentless onslaught that featured hat-tricks of sixes off both Michell Owen and Glenn Phillips. He brought up his century in just 34 balls — the fastest in MLC history — eclipsing Nicholas Pooran’s previous record of 40 deliveries.
As Allen continued to find the stands at will, San Francisco rocketed past the highest team total in MLC history. He raised his 150 in 49 balls with yet another six, setting a new benchmark before falling while attempting to beat Gayle’s highest-ever T20 individual score.
Hassan Khan provided a strong finish with an unbeaten 38, helping the Unicorns post a mammoth 269/5 in their 20 overs.
In response, Washington Freedom came out swinging. Mitchell Owen and Rachin Ravindra put up a fierce opening stand of 79 in just five overs, briefly giving hope of a dramatic chase. Ravindra even matched Krishnamurthi’s earlier fireworks by hitting four sixes in an over. However, the chase unraveled quickly after a brilliant catch from Jake Fraser-McGurk and a run-out in the next over.
From 80/0, Freedom collapsed to 117/8 as the Unicorns’ bowling attack took complete control. Haris Rauf starred with the ball, removing both Glenn Maxwell and Glenn Phillips in the same over before finishing with figures of 3/30. Hassan Khan and Carmie le Roux chipped in with crucial wickets as Freedom folded for 146 in just 13.1 overs.
With this emphatic win, San Francisco Unicorns not only exacted revenge for last year’s final loss but also sent a strong message to the rest of the league.
Brief scores:
San Francisco Unicorns 269/5 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 151, Hassan Khan 38*; Jack Edwards 2/39)
Washington Freedom 146 all out in 13.1 overs (Rachin Ravindra 42, Mitchell Owen 39; Haris Rauf 3/30)
Result: San Francisco Unicorns won by 123 runs.