Bartlett's maiden T20 fifty rescues Unicorns

Xavier Bartlett scored his maiden T20 half-century to lead San Francisco Unicorns to an unexpected three-wicket win over MI New York and maintain their unbeaten start to the 2025 MLC season.

Chasing 183 in Oakland, Unicorns collapsed to 42-4 in the powerplay, including losing big hitters Finn Allen and Jake Fraser-McGurk for 13 and one, respectively.

Hassan Khan reignited their innings, scoring a 17-ball 43 and putting on 64 runs off 31 balls with Tim Seifert but when Bartlett walked in at number eight in the 13th over, Unicorns needed 75 runs off 46 balls.

However, the Australia international saw his side home with five balls to spare, smashing five sixes and four fours in an unbeaten 59 (25).

Earlier, Quinton de Kock had top-scored with 63 (38) and received support from Kieron Pollard (30 off 16), Monank Patel (20 off 14) and Sunny Patel (20 off 11) as MI New York posted 182-7. Haris Rauf took 2-24.

Texas Super Kings made it two wins from two with a 57-run victory over Los Angeles Knight Riders.

The Super Knights lost captain Faf du Plessis for eight in the third over but 50 partnerships between Devon Conway and Saiteja Mukkamalla (57 off 31) and Daryl Mitchell and Donovan Ferreira (61 off 31) for the second and fifth wickets, respectively, helped them to 181-4.

Noor Ahmad then took 4-25 as the Knight Riders were skittled for 124 in 17.1 overs. Number nine Shadley van Schalkwyk top-scored with 27 (21) after five of the eight previous batters had failed to pass two.

San Francisco Unicorns sit top of the table with six points while Texas Super Kings are second with four. Winless MI New York and Los Angeles Knight Riders are fourth and fifth, respectively.