MLC 2024 Playoffs: Major League Cricket (MLC) season 2024 has almost come to its knockout stage as the final four teams are already decided with one group-stage match still to go. However, the result of that match will have no impact on the top four teams and the knockout scenario of the tournament. San Francisco Unicorns (SFU) defeated Washington Freedom (WAF) by six wickets (DLS) in a rain-marred match on July 23 (as per the Indian Standard Time).
Washington Freedom, San Francisco Unicorns, Texas Super Kings (TSK) and MI New York (MINY) are the top four teams that will feature in the MLC 2024 knockouts. TSK will take on MINY in the Eliminator and the winner will then play against the loser of the Qualifier, which will feature WAF and SFU, in the Challenger. Then the winner of the Qualifier and the Challenger will fight for the trophy in the final clash.
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MLC 2024 Playoffs- Teams, Dates & Timings In IST (Indian Standard Time)
Eliminator: Texas Super Kings vs MI New York - July 25 at 6 AM IST at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas
Qualifier: Washington Freedom vs San Francisco Unicorns - July 26 at 6 AM IST at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas
Challenger: Winner of Eliminator vs Loser of Qualifier - July 27 at 6 AM IST at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas
Final: Winner of Qualifier vs Winner of Challenger - July 29 at 6 AM IST at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas
San Francisco Outplay Washington In Rain-Marred Group Stage Match
In the match, WAF captain Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bat first. Along with Travis Head, Smith took Washington off to a flying start. WAF were at the score of 70 runs without the loss of any wicket in just six overs. Despite the wickets of Steve Smith and Travis Head later into the innings, WAF maintained the quick scoring rate and were 174-3 in 15.3 overs when the rain came.
A big rain-break caused the match to be cut short to just 14 overs a side and SFU were tasked with the target of 177 runs in 14 overs. Despite the daunting target, SFU chased it with two balls remaining, with Sanjay Krishnamurthi scoring a brilliant 79 runs knock off just 42 balls and Josh Inglis scoring a 17-ball 45 runs.