Washington Freedom enter this knockout as slight favorites with a 53% win probability, backed by their stunning chase of 267 against MI New York, overhauling it with 8 balls to spare. This SF vs WSF match prediction leans toward Freedom on strength of form, batting depth, and a settled lineup led by the ever-reliable Steven Smith. San Francisco Unicorns, however, showed resilience in the Qualifier and cannot be written off. This preview covers pitch conditions, toss analysis, playing XI breakdown, and fantasy cricket tips to help you prepare for MLC 2026’s biggest knockout clash.
San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom Match Details
Match | San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom | Eliminator 2 | Major League Cricket 2026 |
Date | 16/07/2026 (Thursday) |
Time | BDT 7:30 AM / PKT 6:30 AM / INR 7:00 AM |
Format | T20 |
Venue | Oakland Coliseum, Oakland |
Recent Performance | San Francisco Unicorns – W W L W L, Washington Freedom – W L W W W |
SF vs WSF Major League Cricket 2026: Live Streaming & Broadcast Info
MLC 2026 Eliminator 2 is available across multiple platforms worldwide, with region-specific broadcast options listed below.
- Pakistan: MLC Network YouTube Channel, A Sports HD, ARY Zap
- India: Star Sports (TV) and JioHotstar (Live Stream)
- Bangladesh: MLC Network YouTube Channel
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports
- USA & Canada: Willow TV, Willow by Cricbuzz, and NBC Bay Area (Local SF feed)
- Australia & New Zealand: 7Plus (Australia) and SKY NZ (New Zealand)
- MENA: Cricbuzz TV
- Worldwide: Matches available via Sports Live Hub for global streaming access across regions.
San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom Toss Prediction
Washington Freedom are predicted to win the toss and elect to bat first. Oakland’s surface becomes increasingly dew-affected under evening lights, making the second innings slightly easier to bat on, a risk Freedom would rather hand to their opponents. With Steven Smith’s calmness at the top and a deep order behind him, batting first suits their style perfectly today.
Oakland Coliseum Pitch Report
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland
The Oakland Coliseum surface provides good carry early for pace bowlers, rewarding new-ball aggression before easing for batters once the powerplay ends. Scoring in the 170–190 range has been par for MLC 2026 at this venue. The pitch tends to become more batting-friendly in the second half, with dew further flattening the surface under lights, something both sides must factor into their game plan.
Weather Report
Oakland is expected to see mild conditions on match day, with temperatures hovering in the low-to-mid 60s Fahrenheit. Partial cloud cover in the evening could offer early movement for the seamers, giving pace bowlers a valuable window. Dew is a known factor at this venue during night fixtures, which may ease batting conditions in the back end of the match and influence the toss decision significantly.
SF vs WSF Head-to-Head Records
Matches Played | 8 |
SF Won | 3 |
WSF Won | 5 |
Tied | 0 |
No Result | 0 |
First-ever Fixture | July 22, 2024 |
Most-recent Fixture | July 4, 2026 |
San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom Team Preview & Squads
San Francisco Unicorns
Matthew Short is the Unicorns’ linchpin, a captain whose bat and instinct set the tempo. His ability to accelerate in the middle overs makes him the constant tactical threat, and his field-setting adaptability gives SF structure in tight situations. After falling 7 runs short in the Qualifier, Short’s leadership will be under the microscope as he looks to mastermind an upset.
The SF batting structure leans heavily on Sanjay Krishnamurthi providing top-order solidity alongside Short. Finn Allen’s explosive upper-order intent is a genuine match-turning asset, while Aaron Hardie adds much-needed depth in the middle. The Unicorns need a more cohesive innings than their Qualifier effort to post a total that keeps them in the contest.
Haris Rauf is the headline act with the ball, raw pace, reverse-swing threat, and the temperament to deliver in knockout cricket. Xavier Bartlett and Peter Siddle provide experienced seam support with the new ball. Cooper Connolly and Aaron Hardie offer genuine all-round balance, while Zia-ul-Haq gives Short a reliable pace option through the middle overs.
San Francisco Unicorns Squad:
San Francisco Unicorns
Matthew Short, Finn Allen, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Juanoy Drysdale, Saideep Ganesh, Ghulam Mudassar, Aakarshit Gomel, Hammad Azam, Aaron Hardie, Haris Rauf, Hassan Khan, Anirudh Immanuel, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Mohammad Ilyas, Oliver Peake, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Peter Siddle, Zia-ul-Haq
Washington Freedom
Steven Smith is Washington Freedom’s calm in the storm, a batter who turns knockout pressure into opportunity. His tactical awareness as captain was on full display in the Eliminator 1 chase, and his presence at the crease is the kind of stabilizing force that makes Freedom dangerous in any match situation. He is the heartbeat of this Washington side.
Freedom’s batting depth is genuinely frightening. Andries Gous roared into this fixture with a 132 off 51 balls in the last game, marking himself as the most in-form batter at the tournament. Glenn Maxwell offers the big-hitting volatility to reshape any innings, while Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman add resilience. This SF vs WSF preview cannot overlook how well-stacked Freedom’s batting really is.
Ben Dwarshuis leads Washington’s bowling attack with left-arm angle and clever variations that trouble right-handers in T20 cricket. Lockie Ferguson’s express pace adds genuine threat at either end, while Marco Jansen contributes solid all-round value. Glenn Maxwell remains a dangerous spin option, and Saurabh Netravalkar provides a seam-bowling alternative in the middle overs.
Washington Freedom Squad:
Washington Freedom
Steven Smith, Amila Aponso, Asif Mehmood, Mark Chapman, Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Lockie Ferguson, Andries Gous, Ian Holland, Marco Jansen, Glenn Maxwell, Lahiru Milantha, Mukhtar Ahmed, Saurabh Netravalkar, Mitchell Owen, Abhishek Paradkar, Obus Pienaar, Rachin Ravindra, Yasir Mohammad
SF vs WSF Prediction
Event | San Francisco Unicorns | Washington Freedom |
Toss Winner | – | Washington Freedom |
Player of the Match | – | Steven Smith |
Top Run Scorer | Matthew Short | Steven Smith |
Top Wicket Taker | Brody Couch | Ben Dwarshuis |
Most Sixes | Matthew Short | Steven Smith |
Predicted Score | 170+ | 180+ |
Win Probability | 47% | 53% |
San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom Winning Prediction
Washington Freedom hold a clear edge heading into MLC 2026’s Eliminator 2, with a 53% win probability backed by red-hot form and an all-world batting lineup. Their demolition of MI New York in the Eliminator 1 wasn’t just a result, it was a statement. That said, San Francisco’s Haris Rauf can wreck batting lineups on his day, and the Unicorns have the tools to make this uncomfortable. Can Short and company defy the odds and keep their season alive? What do you think, will Freedom’s momentum be unstoppable? Follow JeetBuzz for live updates, player stats, and real-time match analysis throughout MLC 2026.
FAQ: MLC 2026 Eliminator 2
Q1: What time does the SF vs WSF MLC 2026 Eliminator 2 start in IST?
The match begins at 7:00 AM IST on July 16, 2026.
Q2: Where can I watch the SF vs WSF Eliminator 2 live?
The match is available to stream live on Sports Live Hub (SLH).
Q3: Who is the key player to watch in today’s MLC Eliminator 2?
Andries Gous of Washington Freedom, fresh from a sensational 132 off 51 balls in Eliminator 1, is the standout player to watch.