Washington Freedom stormed through the last few overs to defeat San Francisco Unicorns by seven runs in Eliminator 2 of Major League Cricket (MLC) on Friday, setting up the final against LA Knight Riders on Sunday (IST).Defending 238, the Liberty looked overwhelmed as San Francisco took the lead Matthew Short they made an unbeaten 121 off 56 balls, but Saurabh Netravalkar and Mitchell Owen sealed the game with the final overs to deny the Unicorns a chance to compete for the title.Liberty chose to bat first and did very well from their top order.Mitchell Owen hit 42 off 19 balls, while captain Steven Smith added 43 from 20 as the opening pair took the side to 83/1 in the Powerplay. Andries Gous then closed the innings with 73 from 40 deliveries, hitting four fours and three sixes.Rachin Ravindra chipped in with 28 off just 14 balls as Freedom finished with 238/6 from their 20 overs.Xavier Bartlett was the pick of the bowlers for the Unicorns, taking 3 for 38 in his four overs.San Francisco’s run got off to a good start as both openers fell early. Lhuan-dre Pretorius made 18 off 10 balls before departing, while Finn Allen managed 14 off nine balls.This left Short to carry the innings almost single-handedly. The hosts hit 11 fours and eight sixes as they made an unbeaten 121, keeping the required level within reach despite frequent wickets falling at the other end.Bartlett also helped with the batting, making 28 from 13 balls, and with two overs remaining the Unicorns needed just 29 runs with Short well set.Liberty, however, turned the game around in the final.Netravalkar bowled a crucial 19 overs, conceding just seven runs and leaving San Francisco needing 22 from the final over.Owen, who dropped 28 runs in his first game earlier, returned when it was needed most. He conceded just 14 runs in the final to seal a seven-run victory and send the Freedoms into the final.It was another painful exit for the Unicorns, who lost again in the Qualifier despite finishing top of the league table. Their second chance to reach the finals went awry as the Freedoms completed enough defense to book a meeting with the LA Knight Riders in the championship game.
