Shadab Khan played a pivotal role in leading the San Francisco Unicorns to a 22-run win over MI New York on Friday at Grand Prairie Stadium in the inaugural edition of Major League Cricket (MLC).

Despite a challenging start, where Trent Boult and Kagisa Rabada from MI New York, quickly dismissed the Unicorns' top-order batsmen, Shadab and Corey Anderson’s crucial partnership turned the tide in favor of their team.

With the Unicorns struggling at 50-4 after seven overs, the situation demanded a rescue operation. This is when Shadab Khan came to the crease and formed a crucial partnership of 129 runs with Corey Anderson.

Initially, Shadab had a slow start, scoring only three runs from his first six balls. However, he quickly changed the momentum by hitting his compatriot, Ehsan Adil, for a six over backward square, igniting his innings. Shadab followed it up by aggressively striking Adil's next delivery, sending the ball past a leaping backward point fielder for an impressive boundary.

Shadab continued his onslaught by hitting Hammad Azam, another fellow countryman, for a six. Azam bowled a loose half-volley on the off-side, which Shadab disdainfully dispatched over cover for a maximum.

However, it was during the 15th over, bowled by Sarabjit Ladda, that Shadab truly accelerated his innings. Shadab started by smashing a flat six over long-off on Ladda's first ball, which was looped up full on off. He then followed it up with a boundary at deep extra cover. Ladda was left searching for answers and decided to bowl his third delivery flat and short on off, but Shadab responded by planting his front leg and launching the ball for a six. Shadab went on to hoist Ladda for another six down the ground on the fourth delivery of the over, reaching his fifty in just 23 balls.

Adding to his impressive display, Shadab also managed to cleverly scoop a delivery from Trent Boult for a boundary, evading the keeper and guiding the ball to the fine leg area.

Despite Boult eventually getting the better of Shadab by dismissing him on the following delivery, the Pakistan all-rounder had already played a crucial role in rescuing the Unicorns from a precarious situation. His aggressive knock of 61 runs from 30 balls, consisting of four fours and five sixes, proved instrumental in setting a competitive total of 215-5 in 20 overs.

Shadab's impressive batting performance, accompanied by Anderson's unbeaten innings of 91 runs off 52 balls, significantly contributed to the San Francisco Unicorns' final score.

Shadab's impressive batting display did not overshadow his bowling prowess. Shadab started his spell with an economical over against Nicholas Pooran and Dewald Brevis, conceding a mere four runs.

However, Pooran welcomed Shadab in his second over by hitting a boundary off the first ball, attempting to put pressure on the leg-spinner. Not to be deterred, Brevis also decided to take on Shadab's bowling and smashed him for a six in the same over, displaying his aggressive intent.

But Shadab had the last laugh in this battle. On the very next delivery, he outwitted Brevis with his clever bowling tactics. Working in tandem with his fellow countryman Haris Rauf, who positioned himself in the field, Shadab induced Brevis to make another big hit. However, Brevis failed to get the required elevation and Rauf, stationed at mid-off, comfortably held onto the catch, dismissing Brevis and providing Shadab with a well-deserved wicket.

Shadab finished with figures of 3/32 in his three-over spell, while Rauf remained wicketless but conceded 34 runs in his four-over spell. Their combined efforts limited MI New York to a total of 193/5 in 20 overs, falling short of the target of 216 runs set by the Unicorns.

Reflecting on the match, Shadab acknowledged the importance of starting the tournament well and expressed his admiration for Rauf, highlighting the bowler's exceptional skills and attitude towards the game.

"If you bowl in their arc, they will hit you for boundaries. It's very important how you start a tournament; it's a short tournament, so we have to start well. Mumbai have got a very balanced team; we didn't play before and there wasn't any practice game but now we know each other's strengths. Haris Rauf is a world class bowler. I always enjoy his company and his attitude towards the game. He is outstanding and I always learn from him," Shadab said after the match.