MLC 2026: Match 22, MINY vs SFU Match Prediction: Who Will Win The Toss?

In the 22nd match of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026, MI New York (MI NY) will face San Francisco Unicorns (SFU) at Knight Riders Cricket Ground, Fairplex, Pomona, with the match starting at 7:00 AM IST on Monday, July 6. MI New York have had a mixed season, winning three of their last five matches, and they arrive on the back of a much-needed win in their most recent outing. Nicholas Pooran continues to anchor their batting, scoring 287 runs at an average of 41.00 in recent matches.

On the other hand, San Francisco Unicorns have shown the exact same form pattern, also winning three of their last five, and they hold a strong head-to-head edge over MI New York, winning three of the last four meetings between these sides. Lhuan-dre Pretorius has been the standout performer for SFU this season, racking up 297 runs at an outstanding average of 74.25, giving San Francisco real confidence heading into this fixture.

Match Details

MINY vs SFU Toss Prediction

Toss Winner Likely to: Bowl First

Pomona remains a small sample size — just 3 matches played so far — but the trend so far leans toward chasing, with the side batting second winning 2 of 3 games here. First-innings scores have ranged wildly from 108 all out to 173/5, and there is still no official par score at this venue. Given this early pattern, both Pooran and Short are more likely to opt to bowl first and chase, though the limited data means this isn’t a locked-in advantage.

Pitch Report — Knight Riders Cricket Ground, Fairplex, Pomona

The Pomona surface has shown two very different faces across its opening matches. The very first game here saw LA Knight Riders bowled out for just 108, and MI New York themselves were involved in a low-scoring affair, defending only 132 in an earlier match at this ground. But the most recent match told a different story entirely, with Texas posting 173/5 before being chased down comfortably. The honest read remains the same as before — this pitch can change significantly between strips, and three matches simply isn’t enough to call a firm trend either way.

👉 Venue data sourced from  ESPNcricinfo & CricBuzz

Weather Report — Pomona, California, July 5, 2026

MINY vs SFU Recent Form

Head-to-Head Record (Last 4 Matches)

👉 Data Sourced From:  ESPNcricinfo

MINY vs SFU Predicted Playing XIs

MI NY Playing XI:

 Quinton de Kock (WK), Kunwarjeet Singh, Nicholas Pooran (C), Tajinder Dhillon, Monank Patel, Kieron Pollard, Corbin Bosch, Romario Shepherd, Nosthush Kenjige, Rushil Ugarkar, Trent Boult

SFU Playing XI: 

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

MINY vs SFUPlayers to Watch

MI NY

• Nicholas Pooran (BAT/WK/C) — 287 runs at Avg 41.00, SR 128.12 in recent 10M | MI New York’s captain and most experienced batter — his ability to anchor an innings has kept MI NY competitive through their inconsistent stretch. On a genuinely balanced Pomona surface, his composure at the crease gives MI NY their most reliable batting platform.
• Quinton de Kock (BAT/WK) — 257 runs at Avg 28.56, SR 143.57 in recent 9M | MI NY’s most explosive top-order option by strike rate — his ability to accelerate quickly in the powerplay gives MI NY a genuine attacking option alongside Pooran’s more measured approach.
• Rushil Ugarkar (BOWL) — 13 wkts at Econ 8.17 in recent 9M | MI New York’s leading wicket-taker this season — 13 wickets is the best bowling return of anyone in this fixture. His consistent wicket-taking ability against SFU’s top order gives MI NY their most dangerous bowling weapon.
• Trent Boult (BOWL) — 10 wkts at Econ 7.32 in recent 9M | MI NY’s most experienced new-ball option — his ability to trouble batters early with the swinging ball makes him a key figure in how MI NY approach the powerplay against San Francisco.

SFU

• Lhuan-dre Pretorius (BAT/WK) — 297 runs at Avg 74.25, SR 182.2 in recent 5M | San Francisco’s standout performer this season by a wide margin — Avg 74.25 is an outstanding return and makes him the single most dangerous batter in this entire fixture. His form alone gives SFU a genuine batting advantage.
• Matthew Short (BAT/ALL/C) — 289 runs at Avg 32.11, SR 140.29 in recent 10M, plus 10 wkts at Econ 7.56 in recent 8M | SFU’s captain and the match’s premier dual-department performer — his genuine returns with both bat and ball make him the most complete individual on either side heading into this fixture.
• Xavier Bartlett (BOWL) — 10 wkts at Econ 8.57 in recent 7M | San Francisco’s most experienced bowling option alongside Short — his consistent wicket-taking gives SFU control in the middle overs against MI NY’s batting lineup.
• Finn Allen (BAT) — Recent SFU top-order option with genuine strike-rate potential | Allen’s powerplay hitting alongside Pretorius gives San Francisco a dangerous top order capable of setting the tone early in the innings.

Match Prediction Scenarios

If MI NY Bat First:

• Powerplay Score: 35–50
• Predicted Total: 135–160
• Match Result: Genuinely competitive — Pooran and de Kock give MI NY a reasonable platform, but this venue has already produced a total as low as 108 when conditions turn slow. Danger: Short (Econ 7.56) and Bartlett (10 wkts) have been consistent all season, and SFU’s 3-1 H2H edge suggests they know how to close out tight matches. If MI NY post below 145, San Francisco should fancy their chances given Pretorius’s outstanding recent form.

If SFU Bat First:

• Powerplay Score: 40–55
• Predicted Total: 145–175
• Match Result: San Francisco favourites — Pretorius (SR 182.2) at the top gives SFU their most explosive powerplay weapon by far, with Short adding further depth through the middle order. Ugarkar (13 wkts) is MI NY’s best chance of applying control, but SFU’s superior recent head-to-head record and Pretorius’s exceptional form make them the stronger side if they set the target. Anything above 155 puts real pressure on MI NY’s chase.

MINY vs SFU Win Prediction- Who Will Win Today?

Prediction: SFU to Win

The miny vs sfu match prediction leans toward San Francisco — a 3-1 head-to-head edge, Pretorius’s extraordinary recent form (Avg 74.25), and a more balanced dual-department threat in Matthew Short all point their way. But the miny vs sfu win prediction isn’t a certainty — both teams arrive with identical recent form (3 wins in last 5), and MI NY’s Ugarkar (13 wickets) gives them a genuine wicket-taking weapon capable of exposing SFU’s top order early. Back San Francisco on head-to-head history and Pretorius’s individual brilliance — but expect another tight contest given how closely matched these two sides have been.