In a high-scoring and nail-biting encounter at Church Street Park, Morrisville, the Seattle Orcas emerged victorious in Major League Cricket (MLC) by defeating MI New York by two wickets on Tuesday night. The match witnessed an extraordinary display of skill and determination by South African batsman Heinrich Klaasen, who etched his name in the history books by scoring the first-ever century in MLC, guiding the Orcas to a remarkable triumph.
Having won the toss, the Seattle Orcas opted to bowl first. MI New York had a shaky start to their innings, with opener Monank Patel departing early, scoring just 2 runs. Shayan Jahangir's brief cameo of 19 runs was followed by the loss of Hammad Azam's wicket, leaving New York struggling to set a substantial total.
However, a crucial partnership between Nicholas Pooran, who scored a blistering half-century with 68 runs, and Captain Kieron Pollard steadied the ship for MI New York. The team came roaring back into the game, eventually posting a formidable total of 194 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their 20 overs. Imad Wasim and Harmeet Singh claimed two wickets each for the Seattle Orcas, while Cameron Gannon and Andrew Tye contributed with one wicket each.
In pursuit of the challenging target, the Seattle Orcas had a decent start but faced early setbacks, with Quinton de Kock and Shehan Jayasuriya losing their wickets cheaply. The responsibility fell on the shoulders of Nauman Anwar and Heinrich Klaasen, who carefully constructed a partnership to steady the innings.
Anwar's crucial half-century, scoring 51 runs, provided a strong platform for the Orcas. But as wickets continued to fall around him, it was Klaasen who displayed unparalleled resilience and determination. Despite the pressure, Klaasen showcased his sublime form, scoring an unbeaten 110 runs off just 44 balls.
The game entered its final overs with the Orcas needing 19 runs to win. As the tension reached its peak, Klaasen rose to the occasion and became the first batsman in MLC history to register a century. With six runs required off the last over, Klaasen held his nerves and sealed the victory with a game-winning six off the second ball.
Klaasen's remarkable performance single-handedly led the Seattle Orcas to a sensational win, ending their innings at 195 for 8. Trent Boult was the standout bowler for MI New York, claiming four wickets, while Rashid Khan contributed with two wickets. David Wiese and Nosthush Kenjige chipped in with one wicket each.
The thrilling encounter will be etched in MLC history, with Heinrich Klaasen's century standing out as a defining moment in the league's inaugural season. The Seattle Orcas' classy victory will undoubtedly boost their morale as they continue their campaign in Major League Cricket.