Brought to you by Batball USA – Your Home for American Cricket

In a high-stakes clash at the bottom of the Major League Cricket 2025 table, Match 18 saw the Seattle Orcas take on MI New York (MINY) in a must-win game for both sides. With playoff hopes fading, the Orcas, led by new captain Sikandar Raza, won the toss and elected to field, banking on their batting firepower to chase down a total. What unfolded was a run-fest that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final ball.

MINY’s batting lineup, a mix of international stars and domestic talent, came out firing Pooran and Tejinder Singh, who dismantled the Orcas’ bowling attack with a staggering 16 sixes between them.

Pooran, in scintillating form, notched his third MLC century, finishing unbeaten and steering MINY to a mammoth 237/5 in 20 overs.

Tejinder Singh, a domestic star knocking on the door of the USA national team, was the surprise package. His breathtaking 271 strike rate, with shots all around the ground, announced his arrival on the big stage.

The Orcas’ bowlers, including Kyle Mayers and Gerald Coetzee (two wickets each), struggled to contain the onslaught, and a bold call from Raza to bench David Warner and not bowl Harmeet Singh backfired.

The Orcas, reeling from a 10-game losing streak, entered the match with a fresh approach under new coach Hemang Badani, who replaced Matthew Motts. Badani, also head coach of Delhi Capitals in the IPL, instilled a bold philosophy. Raza, stepping up as captain after Heinrich Klaasen relinquished the role, made aggressive tactical decisions, though some raised eyebrows.

Chasing 238, the Orcas got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets in the powerplay. However, their aggressive intent paid off, racing to 86 runs in the first six overs. Raza, Klaasen, and Mayers kept the scoreboard ticking, but the steep asking rate loomed large.

Enter Shimron Hetmyer, who turned the game on its head. While his teammates struggled with strike rates below 100 in the latter half, Hetmyer batted on a different plane, smashing 97 runs off just 40 balls. His fearless strokeplay, even while battling cramps, kept the Orcas in the hunt. With the equation boiling down to the final over, Hetmyer’s composure shone through. Needing a miracle, he launched the last ball for a towering six, sealing a historic victory and ending the Orcas’ 10-game losing streak.

This thrilling win breathed new life into the Orcas’ campaign and tightened the race among the bottom three teams. For MINY, despite Pooran and Tejinder’s heroics, the loss was a bitter pill, leaving their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Hetmyer’s match-winning knock and Raza’s bold leadership under Badani’s guidance marked a turning point for the Orcas, proving they could compete with the best on their day.

As MLC 2025 heats up, this match will be remembered as a classic, showcasing the league’s unpredictability and the sheer brilliance of T20 cricket.

© 2025 Batball USA. All photos and content are copyrighted. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.