WATCH: Haris Rauf's expensive spell costs Unicorns victory in MLC opener

DALLAS: Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf endured a costly spell as the San Francisco Unicorns slipped to a disappointing defeat against the Los Angeles Knight Riders in their opening Major League Cricket (MLC) clash at Grand Prairie Stadium on Saturday.

In a rain-shortened contest reduced to 14 overs per side in the Major League Cricket, the Los Angeles Knight Riders chased down 151 with relative ease, reaching the target in 13.4 overs for the loss of three wickets.

A fluent unbeaten 64 from Colin Munro, along with aggressive contributions from Jason Holder and Andre Fletcher, powered the successful chase.

The turning point came during a decisive late spell from Rauf, when 52 runs were required from the final 24 deliveries. The right-arm pacer was taken apart for 23 runs in a single over, a passage of play that effectively ended the Unicorns’ hopes of defending their total.

The over began with a wide before Munro added a boundary off the first legal delivery. A single handed the strike to Jason Holder, who then capitalised on the momentum with a six.

Although Rauf briefly responded with a dot ball, the damage continued as Holder struck a four and another six, leaving the bowler under sustained pressure and the Unicorns on the back foot.

Rauf’s struggles continued as the Knight Riders maintained their assault, with the required rate dropping sharply and the chase becoming a formality. He finished wicketless in his 2.4-over spell, conceding 38 runs in total.

Earlier, the Unicorns had posted a competitive 150-7, driven by a brisk 58 from Lhuan-dre Pretorius. Matthew Short added 30 and Finn Allen chipped in with a quick 24, but the innings lacked sustained middle-order resistance.

For the Knight Riders, Sunil Narine led the bowling effort with 2-33, while Holder, Andre Russell, Shadley van Schalkwyk and Carmi le Roux claimed a wicket each.