MLC 2026: Eliminator 2, SF vs WAS Match Prediction – Who will win today’s MLC match between San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom?

An in-form Washington Freedom (WAS) will look to carry the momentum when they take on the San Francisco Unicorns (SF) in Eliminator 2 on Thursday, July 16, at the Oakland Coliseum. The winner of the tie will take on the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the showpiece final. 

SF come into the game after losing the Qualifier against the Knight Riders. They were one of the best sides in the group phase, finishing top of the standings with 12 points. 

The Freedom, on the other hand, will be looking to carry the form from Eliminator 1, where they got the better of MI New York. Steve Smith's side recorded the highest successful run chase in T20 cricket history when they chased down 267, thanks to hundreds from Andries Gous and Smith in the second innings. 

SF vs WAS: Match Details

Oakland Coliseum, Oakland: Pitch Report

Oakland Coliseum has proved to be a batting paradise after more than 500 runs were scored during Eliminator 1 between Washington Freedom and MI New York. The pitch at the venue has favoured the batting side for the entire tournament. Though bowlers did not have much luck in the previous game, conditions do favour new-ball bowlers in the powerplay with lateral movement. 

SF vs WAS: Head-to-Head T20 Record

SF vs WAS: Predicted Playing XIs

San Francisco Unicorns:

Lhuan-dre Pretorius (WK), Finn Allen, Matthew Short (C), Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Aaron Hardie, Hassan Khan, Hammad Azam, Brody Couch, Xavier Bartlett, Ghulam Mudassar, Haris Rauf

Washington Freedom: 

Steven Smith (C), Mitchell Owen, Rachin Ravindra, Andries Gous (WK), Glenn Maxwell, Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben Dwarshuis, Obus Pienaar, Ian Holland, Asif Mehmood, Saurabh Netravalkar

SF vs WAS: Probable Best Performers of the Match

Probable Best Batter: Andries Gous

Andries Gous was the star of the show when Washington Freedom secured a record run chase against MI New York in the Eliminator 1. The United States batter hit 132 at a strike-rate of 258.82, an innings which included 10 fours and 12 sixes. In total, he has scored 434 runs in the tournament and is the second-highest run-getter behind San Francisco Unicorns' Lhuan-dre Pretorius.

Probable Best Bowler: Matthew Short

Matthew Short has emerged as San Francisco Unicorns' best bowler this season. The Australian international has taken 17 wickets from 11 matches at an economy rate of just 7.27. He took 4 for 17, his best figures of the tournament, against MI New York in the group stage. 

Today's Match Prediction: Washington Freedom to win the match