The San Francisco Unicorns have punched their ticket to the Major League Cricket 2025 playoffs, emerging as the first team to qualify after a flawless start to the season. Central to this dominance has been a revitalized Haris Rauf, who is enjoying a breakout campaign after a forgettable 2024 season.

The Unicorns, sitting unbeaten atop the standings with six wins from six matches, boast not only the best record but also the best net run rate in the tournament at +2.472. Their place in the playoffs was confirmed after a commanding win over the Seattle Orcas, their latest in a streak that’s included decisive victories against Texas Super Kings, Washington Freedom, and MI New York.

Haris Rauf has led the charge with the ball, claiming 16 wickets at a stellar average of 13.18. His electric pace and precise control have rattled batting orders early and finished them off late, making him a nightmare across all 20 overs. His wicket-taking blitz has reestablished him as one of the most impactful fast bowlers in global T20 leagues.

Equally important has been his bowling partner, Xavier Bartlett, who sits just behind Rauf in the tournament’s wicket standings with 10 wickets. The Australian has complemented Rauf’s aggression with sharp discipline, ensuring constant pressure from both ends.

On the batting side, Finn Allen has redefined power hitting. The explosive Kiwi opener has piled on 298 runs in five innings, pairing a strike rate over 246 with consistency—an almost unheard-of combination in T20 cricket. He’s been well-supported by all-rounders Hassan Khan, Matthew Short, and Romario Shepherd, who’ve contributed with bat and ball alike.

The Unicorns now appear well-poised to make a serious title run. As Haris Rauf continues to bowl with venom and the squad clicks across all departments, San Francisco may just be scripting a historic MLC season—one game at a time.