Couch stars in thriller as Unicorns edge Orcas in dramatic MLC clash

San Francisco Unicorns pulled off a thrilling two-wicket win over Seattle Orcas in a chaotic MLC 2026 encounter, with Brody Couch delivering a match-winning all-round performance.

The match swung wildly across both innings, featuring collapses from both teams, but Couch held his nerve with both ball and bat to guide Unicorns home.

Orcas collapse after blazing start

Seattle looked set for a massive total after explosive contributions from:

• Shayan Jahangir – 62 off 25
• Tim Seifert – 32 off 14
• Matthew Breetzke – 51 off 29

At 138/1 after 10 overs, with power-hitters like Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, and Dasun Shanaka still to come, 220 looked likely.

Instead, Unicorns’ bowlers triggered a dramatic collapse. Seattle lost 9 wickets for just 53 runs, finishing on 191 all out.

Key bowling figures:

• Brody Couch: 3/41
• Matthew Short: 2/12
• Xavier Bartlett: 2/30
• Ghulam Mudassar: 2/15

Pretorius launches stunning counterattack

The chase started terribly for Unicorns as they slipped to 26/3 inside four overs.

Then came Lhuan-dre Pretorius.

Pretorius produced one of the innings of the tournament:

• 87 off 36 balls
• Reached fifty in just 23 balls
• Played a sensational one-handed six over fine leg off Jasdeep Singh

He dominated a 99-run stand with Aaron Hardie (28), dragging Unicorns back into the contest almost single-handedly.

Another collapse… then Couch finishes it

Just when Unicorns looked in control, they collapsed from 125/3 to 163/8, losing 5 wickets for 38 runs.

Seattle sensed victory.

But Couch wasn’t done.

Needing 29 with only the tail left:

• Hit a crucial boundary off Jasdeep
• Smashed Ottneil Baartman for six in the 19th
• With 12 needed in the final over, launched Shanaka for a huge six
• Then sliced a boundary to level scores

Couch finished unbeaten on 26 off 14, sealing an incredible chase and earning Player of the Match.

Match Summary

• Seattle Orcas: 191 all out
• San Francisco Unicorns: 192/8
• Result: Unicorns won by 2 wickets

It was a scrappy, chaotic, and highly entertaining contest — but Couch’s composure under pressure made all the difference.

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