In one of the most thrilling contests of the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) season, Xavier Bartlett emerged as the unlikely hero for the Unicorns, scripting a dramatic turnaround that saw his team snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against MI New York. The Unicorns chased down a target of 183, winning by three wickets with Bartlett delivering a match-winning 59* off just 25 balls.
Unicorns Collapse Early in Their Chase
The chase began on a shaky note for the Unicorns. After being set a competitive target of 183 by MI New York, they lost key wickets in rapid succession. Star opener Finn Allen departed as early as the second over, followed by Jake Fraser-McGurk and Sanjay Krishnamurthi in the third and fourth overs respectively. The early blows had the Unicorns reeling at 42 for 4 by the end of the powerplay.
MI New York were firmly in control, and it appeared as though their search for a first win in the tournament was finally over. The momentum was all in their favor, and with an experienced bowling attack featuring Trent Boult, Naveen-ul-Haq, Michael Bracewell, and Ehsan Adil, the task ahead seemed daunting for the Unicorns.
Hassan Khan and Seifert Steady the Ship
With the top order back in the dugout, Tim Seifert held one end steady. But it was Hassan Khan who injected life into the innings. Despite having had a tough day with the ball—conceding 54 runs in his four overs—Hassan bounced back with the bat in sensational fashion.
Together, Seifert and Hassan added a quickfire 64-run partnership in just 31 balls, with Hassan smashing 43 runs from just 17 deliveries. The duo’s counter-attack shifted the pressure back onto MI New York, reigniting hopes for a possible comeback. However, the momentum was briefly lost when Unicorns skipper Corey Anderson fell shortly after Bartlett’s arrival at the crease.
Xavier Bartlett’s Unforgettable Knock
Walking in at No. 8 with his team still needing 74 runs and only a few wickets in hand, Xavier Bartlett looked like a man on a mission. Prior to this game, Bartlett was hardly known for his batting—his T20 average stood at just 14.10 with a modest strike rate of 108.50. But on this occasion, he turned the game on its head with a breathtaking display of power-hitting.
Facing bowlers of international pedigree, Bartlett launched a savage assault that included four boundaries and five towering sixes. He stayed unbeaten on 59 off just 25 balls, finishing the match in style and silencing any doubts about the Unicorns’ depth and resilience. His heroics not only secured a dramatic win but also kept San Francisco Unicorns unbeaten in the tournament with three victories in three matches.
MI New York’s Competitive Yet Incomplete Effort
Earlier in the day, MI New York were asked to bat first and got off to a solid start courtesy of Quinton de Kock. The South African wicketkeeper-batter crafted a fluent 63 off 38 deliveries, anchoring the innings. However, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals from the other end.
When de Kock was dismissed in the 12th over with the score at 102 for 4, MI New York seemed destined for a sub-par total. But Kieron Pollard changed the complexion of the innings with a brutal assault in the 16th over, smashing four sixes off Hassan Khan. Pollard scored 30 quick runs and found support from Sunny Patel, who added an unbeaten 20 off just 11 balls, pushing the total to 182 for 7.
The MI New York bowling unit, bolstered by Rauf (2 for 24) and Naveen (2 for 28), appeared to have done just enough. Yet, they were left stunned by Bartlett’s late flourish.
Key Performances at a Glance
San Francisco Unicorns
- Xavier Bartlett – 59* (25 balls), 4 fours, 5 sixes
- Hassan Khan – 43 (17 balls), 2 fours, 4 sixes
- Tim Seifert – 33 (22 balls)
- Bowling Highlights: Le Roux (2 for 34), Hassan Khan (2 for 54)
MI New York
- Quinton de Kock – 63 (38 balls)
- Kieron Pollard – 30 (16 balls), 4 sixes
- Sunny Patel – 20* (11 balls)
- Bowling Highlights: Rauf (2 for 24), Naveen-ul-Haq (2 for 28), Ehsan Adil (2 for 43)
Unicorns Rise to the Top of MLC 2025
With this remarkable come-from-behind win, San Francisco Unicorns sit comfortably at the top of the MLC 2025 points table with a flawless 3-0 record. The team has shown not just skill but incredible composure under pressure—qualities that could make them strong contenders for the title.
MI New York, on the other hand, will rue missed opportunities and need to regroup quickly if they hope to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Conclusion
Xavier Bartlett’s stunning performance will be remembered as one of the most unexpected and electrifying innings in Major League Cricket history. In a match where MI New York had control for most of the game, it took one audacious innings to turn the tide and hand the Unicorns a famous win. As the MLC 2025 progresses, this game stands as a testament to the unpredictable and thrilling nature of T20 cricket—where one moment of brilliance can rewrite the script.
