DALLAS: Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf came to terms with the San Francisco Unicorns’ disappointing loss against the Los Angeles Knight Riders in their Major League Cricket (MLC) clash at the Grand Prairie Stadium on Saturday.
Los Angeles Knight Riders easily chased down 151 runs in 13.4 overs for the loss of 3 wickets in a rain-interrupted match at the rate of 14 overs per team in Major League cricket.
Colin Munro’s fluent unbeaten 64, along with aggressive contributions from Jason Holder and Andre Fletcher, powered the successful chase.
With 52 needed off the last 24 balls, the turning point came during a decisive late spell by Rauf. The right-arm pacer was smashed for 23 in just one over, effectively ending the Unicorns’ hopes of defending their total.
The over started with a wide before Munro added a boundary off the first legal delivery. A single strike to Jason Holder, who then used the pace with a six.
Although Rauf responded briefly with a dot ball, the damage continued as Holder hit a four and another six, leaving the bowler under sustained pressure and the unicorn on the back foot.
Raoup’s struggles continued as the Knight Riders continued their attack, the required rate dropping drastically and the chase becoming a ritual. He conceded a total of 38 runs without a wicket in his 2.4-over spell.
Earlier, the Unicorns posted a competitive 150-7, powered by a blistering 58 from Luan-Tre Pretorius. Matthew Short added 30 and Finn Allen made a quick 24, but the innings lacked middle-order resistance.
Sunil Narine took 2-33 for the Knight Riders, Holder, Andre Russell, Shadley van Schalkwyk and Carmy Le Roux took one wicket each.
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