Cricket Prediction | SF vs WSF | Major League Cricket 2025 | 1st Match | June 12 – Who Starts MLC with a Bang?

SF vs WSF Match Analysis

San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom, 1st Match at Oakland, MLC, Jun 12, 2025. Get ready for prime-time drama as play begins at 7:30 PM beneath the glowing lights of the Oakland Coliseum. 

San Francisco Unicorns come into this season eager to redeem themselves after last year’s crushing final loss. With a mix of seasoned internationals and rising talents, they have the firepower to challenge any opposition. 

Washington Freedom, the reigning MLC champions, will be looking to pick up where they left off in 2024. With a lineup stacked with all-rounders and T20 specialists, the Freedom are built for domination. 

San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom Team Preview & Squads

San Francisco Unicorns

Corey Anderson doesn’t follow the game—he redefines it, one thunderous knock at a time for SF.A seasoned T20 campaigner, Anderson brings both explosive batting and handy medium pace. His leadership will be vital in handling crunch moments.

It’s a heavy-hitting top order for the Unicorns, as Seifert, Allen, and Fraser-McGurk gear up to unleash fireworks. Corey Anderson and Matthew Short add middle-order solidity and acceleration. With Romario Shepherd and Cooper Connolly available down the order, the team can stretch their batting to number 8 or 9.

The bowling attack is pace-dominated, with strike options like Haris Rauf and Liam Plunkett leading the charge. In the powerplay and at the death, Bartlett and Couch excel with their smart variations and tight lines. Spin support from Hassan Khan and Karima Gore provides variety, though it’s slightly less experienced.

The SF faced a tough loss to Washington Freedom in the Dallas final of MLC 2024. Washington piled up 207/5, with Unicorns collapsing to just 111 in 16 overs. The 96-run loss exposed the fragility of the Unicorns’ middle order under pressure. San Francisco will be desperate to flip the script this time.

San Francisco Unicorns Squad

San Francisco Unicorns

Corey Anderson (C), Finn Allen, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Brody Couch, Juanoy Drysdale, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Karima Gore, Hammad Azam, Haris Rauf, Hassan Khan, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Carmi le Roux, Liam Plunkett, Tim Seifert (wk), Romario Shepherd, Matthew Short, Callum Stow.

Washington Freedom

WSF’s calm in the cricketing storm? Two words: Steven Smith. His ability to anchor the innings and marshal bowlers makes him one of the most influential captains in the MLC. His presence also boosts the confidence of younger players around him.

Washington’s batting lineup is stacked with power and versatility. Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Andries Gous form a dangerous core, while Mark Chapman and Glenn Maxwell offer explosiveness in the middle overs. With depth down to Mitchell Owen and Obus Pienaar, they bat deep and hard.

With express pacers like Lockie Ferguson and Jason Behrendorff, the Freedom possess serious wicket-taking threats. Saurabh Netravalkar adds swing and accuracy, while Amila Aponso’s spin complements the pace attack well. They also have Glenn Maxwell and Rachin Ravindra as spin options in the middle overs, giving them superb balance.

It was a one-sided affair in the 2024 MLC final, with WSF steamrolling San Francisco. They posted a massive 207/5, thanks to their power-packed lineup. Their bowlers then ripped through the Unicorns’ batting, bundling them out for 111. That 96-run win will be fresh in their minds as they face off again.

Washington Freedom Squad

Washington Freedom

Amila Aponso, Jason Behrendorff, Mark Chapman, Justin Dill, Jack Edwards, Lockie Ferguson, Andries Gous (wk), Ian Holland, Glenn Maxwell, Lahiru Milantha, Mukhtar Ahmed, Saurabh Netravalkar, Mitchell Owen, Abhishek Paradkar, Glenn Phillips, Obus Pienaar, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Steven Smith (c), Yasir Mohammad.

SF vs WSF Outfield Report

Oakland Coliseum,Oakland

The pitch at Oakland traditionally favors batters early on with good bounce and carry. However, it tends to slow down in the second innings, making stroke play slightly tougher. Expect spinners and change-of-pace bowlers to come into play in the latter half.

The weather forecast for June 12 in Oakland is clear with a minimal chance of rain. Expect mild conditions around 22°C (72°F), accompanied by gentle evening breezes—ideal conditions for cricket, with no weather interruptions likely.

Historically, the Oakland venue has seen first innings scores between 160 and 200 in T20s. Chasing can be tricky if the pitch gets tired, especially under lights. A score of 180+ batting first could be a match-winning total on this surface.

San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In the last five meetings, Washington Freedom have the upper hand with 3 wins, including the emphatic 96-run victory in the 2024 final. San Francisco Unicorns have won 2, but both came in earlier group stages when the stakes were lower.

SF vs WSF Prediction

According to cricket analysts Washington Freedom have a 53% chance of Winning.

Disclaimer: This cricket prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.