LA Knight Riders secured their place in the 2026 Major League Cricket final with a seven-run victory over the San Francisco Unicorns after Andre Russell and Rovman Powell powered a late batting surge before Sunil Narine's opening-over double strike proved decisive at the Oakland Coliseum on Tuesday.

Defending 187, LA Knight Riders overcame a spirited unbeaten 94 from San Francisco captain Matthew Short to seal a place in the championship match, with Narine's remarkable first over leaving the Unicorns chasing from 1 for 2.
Andre Russell delivered when it mattered most, smashing an unbeaten 62 to power LA Knight Riders to a match-winning total in the MLC playoff. Photo by Shaun Roy / Sportzpics for MLC

After winning the toss, San Francisco elected to field and made an early breakthrough when Matthew Short dismissed Andre Fletcher for 7 with a return catch in the second over. Colin Munro then steadied the innings, compiling a measured 51 from 44 balls to lay the foundation for the middle order.

Munro's dismissal to Ghulam Mudassar in the 15th over, followed by Matthew Tromp's departure for 8 two overs later, left the Knight Riders on 130 for 3 with the innings finely balanced. From there, Russell and Powell transformed the contest with a breathtaking display of power hitting.

Russell, who had paced his innings patiently, finished unbeaten on 62 from 50 deliveries, striking four fours and three sixes. Powell produced one of the tournament's most destructive cameos, hammering an unbeaten 50 from only 15 balls, including two fours and six sixes. The pair added an unbroken 57 runs in the final 19 deliveries to lift LA Knight Riders to 187 for 3, turning a competitive total into a formidable one.

Mudassar was the pick of the Unicorns bowlers with 2 for 42, while Short also claimed a wicket, conceding just 18 runs.

San Francisco's pursuit suffered the worst possible start. Narine removed Lhuan-dre Pretorius with the first ball of the innings before dismissing Finn Allen with the third, both batters departing for golden ducks as the Unicorns slumped to 1 for 2.

With the chase in danger of unraveling, Short and Sanjay Krishnamurthi rebuilt superbly. The pair combined for 151 runs for the third wicket, the highest partnership of the 2026 MLC playoffs, steadily bringing the target within reach.
Matthew Short's unbeaten 94 kept San Francisco Unicorns in the hunt, but his valiant effort fell just seven runs short of taking his side to the MLC 2026 Final. Photo by Shaun Roy / Sportzpics for MLC

Krishnamurthi made an accomplished 65 from 47 balls before he was dismissed by Shadley van Schalkwyk. Aaron Hardie added just 6 before falling, leaving Short to shoulder the responsibility in the closing overs.

The Unicorns captain produced one of the standout innings of the season, remaining unbeaten on 94 from 62 deliveries and finishing just six runs shy of a century. Hassan Khan struck an unbeaten 7 from two balls, but the late charge was not enough as San Francisco closed on 180 for 4, seven runs short of victory.

Narine finished with 2 for 28, while van Schalkwyk claimed 2 for 43, but it was the left-arm spinner's opening over that ultimately separated the sides. By removing both openers before a run had been scored, Narine created scoreboard pressure that even Short's outstanding knock could not erase.

The victory sends LA Knight Riders into the MLC 2026 final at the Oakland Coliseum, where they will bid for the title. For San Francisco Unicorns, the defeat ends an impressive campaign despite another influential performance from captain Short, whose playoff innings nearly carried his side into the championship match.