SO VS MINY T20S

Right then, that is it from this thrilling encounter where under the new management and leadership of Sikandar Raza, Seattle Orcas finally get their first points while MI New York remains with one win. We have a double-header Saturday in MLC 2025 on 29th June. First, it will be the Washington Freedom taking on the San Francisco Unicorns at 8 pm GMT (Previous Day). Then it will be a clash between the LA Knight Riders and the Seattle Orcas at 12 am GMT. But as you know, you can join us early for the build-up for both matches. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Sikandar Raza, the victorious skipper of Seattle Orcas, says that all the talking was done before the game. Adds that he has been in similar positions with different teams, and this is the time when characters get tested, and even if they lost this game, he would have been proud of his boys. Mentions that sometimes, for the betterment of the team, you have to retire out a struggling batter. We saw last night when Fletcher got a hundred but still went out. Says that there is so much skill on display nowadays in T20 cricket, and it is always evolving. He further adds that, before this game, they had the worst stat in the Powerplay, and with chasing a big total, he just wanted to inject some momentum with nothing to lose and it worked out.

Shimron Hetmyer is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his sensational knock. He says that this ranks as one of his best knocks. Adds that it feels even special as they had their backs against the wall, and he was still thinking that they should have gotten over the line in the last game. Mentions that the injury helped him as he only focused on hitting the boundaries and not worrying about running. Says that his wife says that it is not necessary to do everything on your own, just make sure to pray before everything, and this was one of those games when he went with a clear mind and got the job done.

Presentation Time...

Nicholas Pooran, the captain of MI New York, says that it is a tough one to take. Adds that they lost the game when they dropped Hettie's catch, but credits him for his fantastic knock as well. Says that they tried to bowl to the bigger side, but too many slot deliveries, and they were punished. Mentions that they just need the momentum, and it is that time of the tournament when you have to execute better or you will pay the price. Says that scoring runs and losing a game does not make sense (When asked about his hundred). Ends by saying that he will try to continue like this and try to get the momentum.

MI New York will be bitterly disappointed with how things unfolded. Despite having a huge total on the board, they failed to defend it. Trent Boult set the tone early with a couple of wickets, but the momentum quickly slipped as the bowlers struggled to maintain pressure. Runs kept flowing freely, and although Delano Potgieter chipped in with a couple of crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs, Boult added another, and Ehsan Adil picked up one as well, it simply wasn’t enough. In the end, the game slipped through their fingers, and this defeat will surely hurt for a long time.

Earlier in the day, MI New York piled on a mammoth total, thanks to a sensational century from skipper Nicholas Pooran and a blistering 95 off just 35 deliveries from Tajinder Singh. While Kyle Mayers and Gerald Coetzee managed to pick up two wickets apiece for the Seattle Orcas, it was largely a forgettable outing with the ball as they struggled to contain the flow of runs.

Chasing a daunting target, the Seattle Orcas were rocked early with a couple of quick wickets, but Sikandar Raza turned the tide with a blazing 30 off just 9 balls to inject some much-needed momentum. Mayers played his part too, helping the team race to 86 in the Powerplay. Heinrich Klaasen chipped in with a handy knock, but once he departed, it was all about Shimron Hetmyer. The stage was set, but Hettie, battling a groin injury, showed incredible grit and determination. He kept finding the fence and refused to let the chase slip away. The momentum swung back and forth, and it all came down to the final ball - six needed. Hetmyer launched it into the stands, finishing unbeaten on a career-best 97 not out, and scripting one of the most thrilling finishes in MLC history.

STOP THE PRESS – THE SEATTLE ORCAS HAVE FINALLY BROKEN THEIR DUCK! Take a bow, Shimron Hetmyer! He’s pulled off the unimaginable and that too while battling injury. Limping but lethal, he smoked a six off the final ball to seal a historic win and pull off the highest-ever run chase in MLC history. That ends a painful 10-match losing streak and finally gets the Orcas on the board this season. While it’s scenes of jubilation in the Orcas camp, it’s sheer heartbreak for MI New York, who had the game in their grasp but let it slip right at the death.

SIX! YOU BET HE CAN! ABSOLUTE SCENES OUT HERE! Kieron Pollard bowls this on a good length but angling down the leg side. Shimron Hetmyer sits down on one knee and helps it on its way over the fine leg fence for the match-winning six. He throws his bat and helmet in the air, as all of his teammates run towards him to celebrate with him. CRICKET, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL GAME!

Back of a length and around off, Shimron Hetmyer heaves it away to deep mid-wicket and somehow comes back for the second run. Pooran scores a direct hit at the batter's end but Hettie is in. 6 needed in the last ball. Can Hettie be the hero?

Kieron Pollard bangs in a slower bouncer, on middle, Shimron Hetmyer crouches a bit low to hook it away but misses. It is not given as wide. Hettie is not happy at all with that call. The replay shows that it was over the head. 8 needed in 2 now!

Full and on off, Jasdeep Singh swings again and gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls to the off side. A single taken. Hettie is back on strike.

Swing and a miss! Slower again, full and around off, Jasdeep Singh goes for a wild swing across the line and fails to connect. Slight confusion in the middle. It looks like SIngh is being retired out, but no, he will carry on.

Short of a length and outside off, slower too, Jasdeep Singh tries to guide it away but gets deceived by the lack of pace.

Kieron Pollard to bowl the last over. He conceded 15 in his first over. Can he defend 8 runs here? Let's see.

SIX MORE! One-legged Hettie is doing the job for Seattle Orcas! Pitched up and outside off again. Shimron Hetmyer this time stays in the crease, crouches low and muscles it over the wide long off fence for another six. 9 needed in the last over.