Here's why:
* "I" sound: The "i" in "unlike" is pronounced with a short "i" sound, similar to the "i" in "bit" or "sit".
* Long "I" sound: The long "i" sound is usually represented by the letter "i" followed by a silent "e" (like in "kite" or "bike") or by the letter "y" (like in "my" or "cry").
Therefore, the "i" in "unlike" has a short "i" sound, not a long "i" sound.