High-scoring thriller sees LAKR deny SFU top-two spot

San Francisco Unicorns missed out on a top two spot in MLC 2025, falling short by 11 runs in an epic high-scoring game against Los Angeles Knight Riders in Florida. Andre Fletcher scored a second century of the tournament, helping LAKR post 243. Despite losing their top three for 5 runs, SFU mounted a stunning comeback led by Sanjay Krishnamurthi's 40-ball 92.

LAKR's openers, Fletcher and Alex Hales, scored 15 runs in the first over. Hales hit four fours and two sixes off Ben Lister in the last over of the powerplay, bringing up a 24-ball fifty before being dismissed. After a rain break, Sherfane Rutherford and Fletcher tore into the SFU attack, propelling LAKR past the highest total of the season at the venue. Fletcher hit five sixes in the final two overs, reaching his century for the second time in five games.

Chasing 244, SFU lost Finn Allen in the first over. Karthik Gattepalli then removed Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk in the same over, leaving SFU reeling at 10/3. Hassan Khan kept them afloat before Krishnamurthi took charge. Hammad Azam also contributed a cameo. Despite their efforts, SFU needed 106 off 48 balls.

The next two overs yielded 38 runs, followed by a 26-run over, bringing the equation down to 38 off 18. Jason Holder took the crucial wicket of Krishnamurthi, but Xavier Bartlett kept SFU in the hunt. Shadley van Schalkwyk defended 18 from the final over, taking two wickets off two balls when SFU needed 12 from 3.

The loss means SFU finish third in the points table, despite winning their first six games. They will face MI New York in the Eliminator in Dallas on July 9.

Brief scores:
Los Angeles Knight Riders 243/3 in 19 overs (Andre Fletcher 118, Alex Hales 58) beat San Francisco Unicorns 233 in 18.5 overs (Sanjay Krishnamurthi 92; Karthik Gattepalli 3/31, Jason Holder 2/28) by 11 runs (via DLS)