SF vs Texas, Challenger at Dallas, MLC, Jul 26 2024 - Match Result

11:28pm That brings us to the end of our coverage for tonight. Only two teams left in the MLC and it is fitting that they were the sides placed first and second in the league phase. We will be back for what promises to be a classic clash and hope to have your company too. Until then, this is goodbye from Binoy and me. Take care, folks!

Finn Allen, Player of the Match: It was a close game, we knew we were going to be up against it, happy to get over the line. (On Conway) It was a quality knock from him. He is backing it up tournament after tournament. Just happy it was our day. (On his slight change in approach and what caused it) The nature of the surface. I felt like I would get more reward for good shots than swinging across the line. (On his plan against the spin of Noor Ahmad) Just looking straight. The way the wicket was playing, Noor was hard to get away off the back foot, so was sweating on anything full. (On the final against Washington) I think it is going to be a great game. 1-1 heading into the final. We have to freshen up tomorrow and then be ready for Sunday.

Corey Anderson, San Francisco Unicorns captain: We look at the competition as a whole, different guys have chipped in at different times. (On Finn Allen) Every time someone scores a T20 hundred, it is special. Hassan Khan has been unbelievable for us. Guys have done their roles and have won the moments in games. We have one more to go but been a great team performance so far. (On what conversations he had with Cummins and Rauf) Those conversations were easy, they knew what they were doing. They are world-class bowlers and they know what ball to bowl. Lucky to have them. (On Drysdale) Pretty underdone, in terms of cricket workload but the way he bowled tonight was exceptional. He won that moment through the middle for us, and I thought he was incredible. (On the catch that dismissed du Plessis) it got caught up in the lights a little bit. Would have been nice if we had caught the ones before. Faf has been dangerous this whole competition. To get him and to stall their momentum, it was a great job.

Faf du Plessis, Texas Super Kings captain: Starting off today, we were not at our best. First 45 minutes of the game…Allen played well but we were a little soft. Both teams' fielding was average. Those little things are the difference (in such matches). If players like Allen make that impact, it changes the game. You have to be on top of those small margins and that is what wins games. (On the dropped catches) Not good enough skill. (On Tromp) He did not have a great season, but still backing the domestic talent we have. Hopefully an innings like this will give him confidence and the step up to the next level is 90% in the mind. Hopefully he goes back, works hard and comes back again next season. (On the score) 10-15 above average. That one innings felt like he kept on going. If you look throughout the game, it was not the case for all the other batters. 185 would have been a par score. We started off nicely and were well in it. But the period in the middle, we lost a few quick wickets. Batted really well to get back but I think the best team won. (On the MLC this season) Really enjoyed it. Season two, from the perspective of the conditions, had better surfaces and produced better cricket. The fans are coming out, so it is amazing, especially for us when we see those yellow shirts. You don't want to play cricket to empty stands and happy that that did not happen (this year).

Drysdale: It feels great. Got an opportunity, made use of it, so feels great. All of them (my friends and family) are watching, I got a text from all of them, so it is a proud moment. (On his bowling plan) Stick to the basics, hit a back of a length and use variations. (On which wicket was better) I liked Stoinis, yeah, it was a bit better. (On the catches going down) It is hard to see in the dark and the ball was wobbling a little. We are going to pop champagne, maybe, maybe (smiles).

11:05pm An amazing game of cricket. 40 overs of non-stop action and for the most part, it felt as if it was an event-a-ball. Like the first innings, there were dropped catches, misfields and missed run-out chances, adding to the drama but when it mattered most, the Unicorns' high-profile players, Cummins and Rauf stood up. A sizzling display of death-bowling tied Conway and Tromp down enough and made sure that their respective knocks will now be remembered as a consolation, rather than as a catalyst for a remarkable turnaround.

Prior to this, du Plessis was on fire. He was smacking the ball to all parts and when he was at the crease, it felt the Super Kings would hunt this total down with overs to spare. He, though, fell to one of the best catches you'll ever see and that triggered a slow-down. TSK, in fact, could not garner any significant momentum, up until Conway and Tromp got together.

For the Unicorns, Drysdale and Hassan were exceptional through the middle. The latter badgered a hard length and made it difficult for the batters, while the latter kept varying his pace to keep the batters guessing. It was a performance that would have given the pair lots of confidence and holds the Unicorns in good stead, especially heading into a final against another powerful batting line-up.

12 off 2. TSK need two sixes. If they cannot do that, they are out

15 off 4. TSK need a maximum, right about now

Mark: "ATM, that drop by Rauf off his own bowling is looking very expensive." -- Well, that is not the only chance they have put down tonight...

18 needed off the final over. Cummins versus Conway for now. TSK versus Unicorns. Who are you backing? Around the wicket

Back to over the wicket for Tromp

Rauf to bowl the penultimate over. TSK need 29 off 12. Rauf stays around the wicket

Cummins to bowl. TSK need 40 off 18. Around the wicket

anay: "josh tromp turning out be a hidden talent!!" -- Credit to TSK, they stuck with him even when he was not scoring as freely