Saurabh Netravalkar

The 11th match of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2023 featured Washington Freedom taking on San Francisco Unicorns at Church Street Park. The Unicorns won the toss and opted to bowl, setting the stage for an exciting clash between the two teams.

Batting first, the Washington side posted a competitive total of 133/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Their innings saw contributions from various batters, with Moises Henriques (30) and Obus Pienaar (29) leading the charge. They were supported by Andries Gous (23) and Marco Jansen (19), who played valuable knocks to bolster the team’s total.

The Unicorns’ bowling attack displayed a disciplined effort, with Haris Rauf claiming 3 wickets for 20 runs in his 4-over spell. Liam Plunkett and Marcus Stoinis also chipped in with 2 wickets each, further restricting Freedom’s scoring rate.

Chasing 134 for victory, the Unicorns faced a tough challenge from the Freedom bowlers. Despite Corey Anderson‘s valiant effort – 34 runs off 34 balls – the Unicorns struggled to build partnerships and keep the scoreboard ticking. Saurabh Netravalkar was the standout performer for Freedom, wreaking havoc with his impressive bowling display. He bagged a remarkable 6-wicket haul for a mere 9 runs in 3.5 overs, turning the game in his team’s favour.

The Unicorns’ innings faltered as they were bowled out for 103 runs in 19.5 overs, falling short of the target by 30 runs. Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje and Akeal Hosein also contributed with crucial wickets, further adding to the Unicorns’ batting woes.

Netravalkar’s exceptional bowling performance earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award. In fact, he played a decisive role in guiding Freedom to victory.

With this win, Henriques’ Freedom qualified for the playoffs alongside Seattle Orcas. On the other hand, the Unicorns remained in the fourth position at the points table and will need to secure a victory in their last match to have a chance to reach the playoffs.

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