MLC 2023: San Francisco Unicorns sign Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf ahead of inaugural season

Pakistan duo Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf have been roped in by San Francisco Unicorns ahead of the inaugural season of the Major League Cricket (MLC). The first edition is scheduled to kickstart on July 13, as Texas Super Kings lock horns with Los Angeles Knight Riders at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas. 

As teams have begun finalising their setup for the event, San Francisco Unicorns took to their official social media handle to confirm the signings of Pakistan star cricketers- Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf. The two players are likely to be available for the entirety of the competition as they are not part of Pakistan’s Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka.

Rapid Rauf is heading to the Unicorns 💨💨💨

This Pakistani speedster is locked and loaded ahead of #MLC2023 💥💥💥

Welcome @HarisRauf14 🇵🇰#SFOUnicorns #MLC2023 #MajorLeagueCricket pic.twitter.com/XpdAwsETAT

— San Francisco Unicorns (@SFOUnicorns) June 27, 2023

Khan ➡️ The City 🌉

Whether it's taking wickets☝️ or smashing sixes💥, this all-rounder from Pakistan 🇵🇰 is sure to deliver🏏

Welcome @76Shadabkhan 🙌#SFOUnicorns #MLC2023 #MajorLeagueCricket pic.twitter.com/spFPyFcHnS

— San Francisco Unicorns (@SFOUnicorns) June 27, 2023

In addition to this, Shadab and Haris are yet to obtain the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and could likely receive it prior to the start of the top-tier league. According to a report by Cricket Pakistan, the MLC management have been asked to pay $25,000 for each player's involvement by the PCB for the event.

Aaron Finch to lead San Francisco Unicorns

Former Australia skipper Aaron Finch will lead San Francisco Unicorns for the forthcoming edition. Notably, Finch became the first overseas signing during the league’s domestic player draft which took place in March.

Apart from the likes of Shadab, Haris and skipper Finch, Corey Anderson, Matthew Wade and Finn Allen are the other overseas signings made by the franchise. The Unicorns play their first match of the season against MI New York in Texas on July 14.

Texas Super Kings, Seattle Orcas, MI New York, San Francisco Unicorns, Los Angeles Knight Riders, and Washington Freedom are the six participants set to compete for the coveted title in the MLC. The summit clash of the league will be played at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas on July 30.