After 10 rounds of white‑knuckle cricket, Washington Freedom, Texas Tremendous Kings, San Francisco Unicorns, and MI New York have booked their tickets to Dallas for the 2025 Main League Cricket play‑offs.
The sphere was finalized throughout Sunday’s triple‑header finale, a day that swung from daybreak to nightfall and re‑shuffled the race earlier than the final ball was bowled.
Closing‑day fireworks
Morning – MI New York vs Los Angeles Knight Riders
Needing one final push to remain forward of Seattle Orcas on web run price, MI New York rode Tim David’s 66 off 34 to a seven‑wicket victory. The win nudged their ledger to three‑7 and, crucially, lifted their NRR simply excessive sufficient to close the door on Seattle.
Afternoon – Texas Tremendous Kings vs Seattle Orcas
The Orcas needed to win huge to leapfrog New York; as an alternative, they ran right into a rampant Gerald Coetzee (4‑28) and stumbled to 144 all out. Texas chased it within the sixteenth over however, paradoxically, the consequence clipped the Tremendous Kings’ title ambitions—transferring them to 7‑3 but leaving Washington free to grab the No. 1 seed later that evening.
Nightcap – Washington Freedom vs San Francisco Unicorns
With the highest seed on the road, Freedom’s Chase‑Masters struck once more. Steven Smith’s 79 not out anchored a meticulous pursuit of 172, sealing an eighth victory and consigning the Unicorns to a 3rd defeat in 4 video games. Washington’s 8‑2 mark left them two factors clear; San Francisco’s 7‑3 document tied Texas however fell behind on web run price.
How the 4 reached Dallas
Washington Freedom (8‑2, 16 pts) — The capital franchise made chasing an artwork type, logging six come‑from‑behind wins—together with Sunday’s decisive overcome San Francisco. Their solely stumbles got here in opposition to the very opponents they now face once more.
Texas Tremendous Kings (7‑3, 14 pts) — Faf du Plessis engineered twin three‑sport profitable streaks and the league’s finest web run price (+1.603). Although tripped within the finale by middling Seattle, they continue to be the event’s most explosive unit.
San Francisco Unicorns (7‑3, 14 pts) — An electrical 6‑0 begin hinted at a wire‑to‑wire run, however late‑season misfires dropped them to the third rung. Even so, their balanced assault makes them perilous in knockout play.
MI New York (3‑7, 6 pts) — The quintessential survivor. All three victories got here in opposition to the 2 golf equipment now eradicated, however superior web run price over Seattle stored the door ajar—and MI barged by it on Sunday morning.
Tuesday, July 8 – the play‑off curtain rises
Grand Prairie Stadium will host each postseason conflict, every starting at 7 p.m. Central Daylight Time (Dallas) — that’s 12 a.m. GMT and 5:30 a.m. IST the next morning.
Qualifier 1 – Washington Freedom vs Texas Tremendous Kings
Winner advances straight to Saturday’s Closing; loser receives a second probability in Qualifier 2.
Eliminator – MI New York vs San Francisco Unicorns
Loser heads house; winner meets the Qualifier 1 runner‑up for a spot within the championship match.
Ought to rain intervene, reserve days have been earmarked, however the forecast guarantees clear Texan skies and a wicket recognized for even bounce—preferrred for the type of excessive‑octane cricket that has outlined MLC’s second season.
Closing Group‑Stage Standings
| Rank | Group | M | W | L | Pts | NRR |
| 1 | Washington Freedom | 10 | 8 | 2 | 16 | +0.954 |
| 2 | Texas Tremendous Kings | 10 | 7 | 3 | 14 | +1.603 |
| 3 | San Francisco Unicorns | 10 | 7 | 3 | 14 | +1.330 |
| 4 | MI New York | 10 | 3 | 7 | 6 | −0.518 |
| 5 | Seattle Orcas | 10 | 3 | 7 | 6 | −1.842 |
| 6 | Los Angeles Knight Riders | 10 | 2 | 8 | 4 | −1.320 |
