Latest news with #FinnAllen
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
San Francisco Unicorns show promise with strong comeback in 2024
San Francisco Unicorns The San Francisco Unicorns have experienced a tale of two seasons in Major League Cricket (MLC), going from early struggles in the inaugural 2023 edition to emerging as strong title contenders in 2024. While their first campaign ended in disappointment, the Unicorns staged a commendable turnaround in the second season, reaching the final and finishing as runners-up. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 2023: A Faltering Start The Unicorns began their MLC journey with a promising 22-run victory over eventual champions MI New York. However, consistency eluded them as they suffered a 35-run defeat to Seattle Orcas in the next game. A 21-run win over LA Knight Riders briefly revived their campaign, but it turned out to be their last win of the season. Back-to-back losses to Washington Freedom (by 30 runs) and Texas Super Kings (by 3 wickets) ended their playoff hopes. With just two wins from five matches, the Unicorns finished fifth in the six-team table. More Than a Team: The Rise of CSK & the Whistle Podu Army 2024: A Remarkable Turnaround Determined to make amends, the Unicorns bounced back in the 2024 season. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning For Working Professionals. BITS Pilani WILP Apply Now Undo They began their campaign with a confident six-wicket win over LA Knight Riders. Though they lost their second match to Texas Super Kings by seven wickets, it proved to be their only defeat in the league stage. A rain-abandoned game against LA Knight Riders was followed by a strong winning streak — the Unicorns notched four consecutive wins against Seattle Orcas (by 23 runs), MI New York (by 3 runs), Seattle Orcas again (by 6 wickets), and Washington Freedom (by 6 wickets via DLS). This surge helped them finish second on the points table with five wins from seven matches. In the playoffs, the Unicorns lost the Qualifier to Washington Freedom by seven wickets but rebounded by defeating Texas Super Kings in the Challenger by 10 runs. However, their title hopes were dashed in the final as Washington handed them a crushing 96-run defeat. Despite falling short in the final, the season marked a major improvement. Finn Allen led the batting charts for San Francisco with 306 runs in nine games, while Hassan Khan impressed with 10 wickets, underlining the Unicorns' evolution into genuine MLC contenders. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
MLC 2024 stats recap: Faf du Plessis steals spotlight with the bat in second edition
Faf du Plessis scored a whopping 420 runs in 10 games for the Texas Super Kings in 2024 in the MLC (Image via X/@TexasSuperKings) With the inaugural season in 2023 establishing the potential of Major League Cricket as the flagship T20 competition in America, competition between the six competing teams increased manifold in the second season of the competition. Played across two venues - Church Street Park in North Carolina and Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Texas, the 25-game tournament saw a fierce battle for the trophy. While the San Francisco Unicorns, Washington Freedom, Texas Super Kings and MI New York made the playoffs, the season finale saw Washington Freedom demolish San Francisco Unicorns in the final by a whopping 96 runs to become first-time champions. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Top Run-Scorers While Nicholas Pooran finished top of the list of highest run-getters in 2023, the West Indian was dethroned by South Africa's Faf du Plessis in 2024. In a top five list dominated by Australians and New Zealanders, Du Plessis's scintillating 420 runs from 8 matches marked bested the likes of Steve Smith and Travis Head. Donning the jersey of the Texas Super Kings, Du Plessis eclipsed the inaugural top scorer record by 32 runs. Despite his side not making the final, his 3 fifties and one century was undisputedly the best in the tournament. Bombay Sport Exchange Ep 5: Shane Watson on how IPL gave him a lifeline & his tribute to Phil Hughes Other top run-getters Steve Smith (Washington Freedom) : 336 runs Travis Head (Washington Freedom) : 336 runs Finn Allen (San Francisco Unicorns) : 306 runs Devon Conway (Texas Super Kings) : 293 runs Highest Individual Scores Ryan Rickelton - 103 not out Finn Allen - 101 Faf du Plessis - 100 Ryan Rickelton - 89 Steve Smith - 88 Strike Rate leaders (At least 20 balls faced) Finn Allen - 187.73 by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tired of High Power Bills? Plug in This Device elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo Matthew Short - 180.85 Rashid Khan - 178.02 Travis Head - 173.20 Faf du Plessis - 171.43 While Finn Allen also finished fourth in the list of top scorers in 2024, the Kiwi's two explosive fifties and another century make him one of the most threatening batter of the previous season. Poll Do you believe Major League Cricket can grow to rival other international T20 leagues? Yes, definitely No, it lacks appeal Maybe, with more exposure Big Hitters - Most Sixes Faf du Plessis - 23 sixes Steve Smith - 21 sixes Finn Allen - 20 sixes Travis Head - 18 sixes Matthew Short - 14 sixes While Du Plessis led the list for most runs, the South African also became a nightmare for bowlers through his consistency in hitting over the fence. His 23 sixes stand tall, but nowhere close to Pooran's humongous 34 maximums in the inaugural season. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Quetta seal PSL final spot with win over Islamabad
Table-toppers Quetta Gladiators progressed to the final of the Pakistan Super League with a 30-run win over second-placed Islamabad United in the qualifier match. In the first match of the end of season play-offs, Islamabad were bowled out for 179 in the final over while pursuing 210. Finn Allen (41) drove the start of the Quetta innings, while Faheem Ashraf (45) and Dinesh Chandimal (48 not out) added 95 to push on from a precarious 113-5. Faheem was caught off the bowling of Salman Irshad from the penultimate ball of the innings as the league leaders closed on 209-6. Islamabad's reply started well, with Sahibzada Farhan (52) and Rassie van der Dussen (35) adding 71 after Alex Hales was bowled by Faheem for a two-ball duck. Their wickets left the early season leaders on 101-3, and from there the innings stalled. Salman Ali Agha struck hit 44 from 26 deliveries prior to being caught off Usman Tariq, who took 3-32, but five more batters were dismissed for single figures as Islamabad fell short of their target. They will now face the winner of Thursday's first eliminator match between Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalanders, who finished third and fourth in the regular season, with the winners of that game playing Quetta in the final on Sunday. Scorecard, PSL fixtures & results
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
HBL PSL X: Quetta Gladiators elect to bat against Islamabad United in first qualifier
Quetta Gladiators won the toss and elected to bat first against defending champions Islamabad United in the first qualifier of the tenth edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League on Wednesday in Lahore. The Gladiators will aim to continue their winning streak, having remained unbeaten in their last five matches, while United will look to carry their last match form forward and qualify directly for the final for the second consecutive year. The winner of the match will qualify directly for the final, while the losing team will get another chance by facing the winner of this week's eliminator. Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (Captain), Finn Allen, Hasan Nawaz, +Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Rilee Rossouw, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Wasim, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed. Islamabad United: Shadan Khan (Captain), Sahibzada Farhan, Alex Hales, Rassie van der Dussen, Salman Agha, James Neesham, Ben Dwarshuis, Imad Wasim, +Ghazi Ghori, Salman Irshad, Naseem Shah.
Times of Oman
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Gladiators eye first final in six years as PSL playoffs begin today
LAHORE: With the group stages wrapped up in Rawalpindi, the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL) enters its business end as the action shifts to Lahore for the playoffs, culminating in the final on May 25. Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United will face off in Qualifier 1 on Wednesday, while arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings clash in the high-stakes Eliminator on Thursday. Gladiators on the charge Gladiators' resurgence has been nothing short of remarkable. After a shaky start — losing two of their first three games — they turned the tide in dramatic fashion against Karachi Kings, pulling off a five-run win from the brink of defeat. That moment sparked a dominant run that saw them win all their remaining completed matches, finishing top of the table with a three-point cushion. Key to their turnaround has been Abrar Ahmed, who has emerged as one of the season's standout bowlers, combining a high wicket tally with exceptional economy. Mohammad Amir and Khurram Shahzad have delivered at crucial moments, while Faheem Ashraf has shown flashes of his best all-round form. Though captain Saud Shakeel's opening position remains a weak spot, the return of power hitters Finn Allen and Rilee Rossouw for the playoffs, along with the firepower of Hasan Nawaz and Khawaja Nafay, makes Quetta a formidable unit. With two chances at reaching the final, they are strong contenders for a first title since 2019. United's rollercoaster Defending champions Islamabad United had a rollercoaster ride. After five straight wins, a controversial decision to rest five players in their sixth game led to a dramatic collapse in form, with four consecutive losses threatening their playoff hopes. But the mid-season break seemed to reset their rhythm, and they stormed back with a commanding win over Kings, posting a tournament-high 251. Alex Hales' inclusion has offset the absence of Colin Munro, and his partnership with Sahibzada Farhan now forms arguably the league's best opening pair. Shadab Khan continues to lead with bat and ball, while Imad Wasim's economy rate of 7.06 stands out. While United's fast bowling unit — Ben Dwarshuis, Tymal Mills and Salman Irshad — lacks a truly elite name, their all-round depth makes them a potent threat. Kings progress Karachi Kings are back in the playoffs after a three-year gap, but their campaign has lacked consistency. Despite a strong top order featuring David Warner, James Vince (the second-highest run-scorer), and Tim Seifert, their domestic middle order remains vulnerable. That frailty has cost them dearly in key moments, including a dramatic collapse against Quetta and a capitulation against United where they lost 7 for 34. While Abbas Afridi leads the wickets tally and Mohammad Nabi has been the most economical spinner, the Kings' inability to build sustained momentum could be their undoing in the Eliminator. Qalandars survive Two-time defending champions Lahore Qalandars narrowly escaped an early exit with a clutch win in a rain-shortened game. Their top order, led by Fakhar Zaman and supported by Mohammad Naeem and Abdullah Shafique, has been explosive. However, their bowling — once their strength — has faltered. Haris Rauf's economy of 10.66 typifies their struggles. Compounding their woes is the absence of key overseas players like Sikandar Raza and Daryl Mitchell. Though replacements such as Kusal Perera and Shakib al Hasan have been drafted in, it remains to be seen whether Qalandars can rediscover their championship pedigree. As the playoffs begin, Quetta and Islamabad carry momentum, while Kings and Qalandars must dig deep to stay alive.
