SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS SECURE NARROW VICTORY OVER PERTH SCORCHERS

An unbeaten half-century from Hammad Azam and a decisive four-wicket haul by left-arm fast bowler Ghulam Mudassar guided the San Francisco Unicorns to a five-run victory over the Perth Scorchers in the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League at the Guyana National Stadium.

Defending a modest total of 152, Mudassar’s crucial strikes ensured the Scorchers’ late fightback fell short in a tightly contested chase on Sunday.

Electing to bat first, the Unicorns were heavily reliant on Azam’s 64 not out off 46 deliveries, a vital innings that rescued his side from a precarious 46 for 4 during the powerplay.

The innings had begun with early momentum, as Tim Robinson (24) and Connor Esterhuizen (21) established a steady 42-run opening stand.

However, the introduction of left-arm spinner Sufyan Moqim swiftly altered the complexion of the innings.

Moqim, who finished with economical figures of 3 for 31 from his four overs, provided the initial breakthrough and dismantled the top order.

When Brody Couch dismissed Fabian Allen (7), the Unicorns were in danger of a total collapse but Azam then anchored the recovery, striking five fours and four sixes to dictate the pace of the middle overs.

He found capable support in Anirudh Immanuel (17), with whom he shared a crucial 39-run partnership.

Couch managed to claim three wickets for the Scorchers, though he proved expensive, conceding 49 runs across his four-over spell.

In pursuit of 153, the Scorchers struggled to build sustained momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals.

Opener D’Arcy Short provided the most substantial resistance at the top of the order, compiling a measured 43 from 38 balls, including four boundaries.

However, Mudassar consistently disrupted the chase, removing Cameron Fletcher for 1 before accounting for Joel Curtis (16) and Dian Forrester (0).

Reeling at 59 for 4, the Scorchers’ middle order failed to establish significant partnerships against a disciplined Unicorns attack.

Despite the mounting required run rate, Akeal Hosein injected late urgency into the innings with a rapid 19, featuring two massive sixes, to give Perth a glimmer of hope.

Couch also contributed with an unbeaten 23 at the death.

Their efforts ultimately proved insufficient, as the Scorchers concluded their 20 overs on 147 for 9.

Mudassar finished with standout figures of 4 for 32, supported capably by veteran seamer Peter Siddle, who returned 2 for 31 from his full quota.

The result leaves the San Francisco Unicorns with one win and one defeat in the competition, while the Perth Scorchers remain winless after suffering their second consecutive defeat.

Next up will be a clash of the two unbeaten sides, defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors against Lahore Qalandars on Sunday from 7:00 pm.

Photography from this match can be streamed with Smartframe and is available here: https://smartframe.com/image-library/global-super-league