In an exhilarating clash of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2023, Seattle Orcas (SEO) emerged triumphant with a 5-wicket win against Washington Freedom (WAF) at the Grand Prairie Stadium on Friday night. The Orcas won the toss and elected to bowl first, setting the stage for an exciting encounter.
WAF, batting first, posted a total of 144 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allocated 20 overs.
Akeal Hosein top-scored with a quickfire 33 off 22 balls, while Andries Gous played a patient knock of 28 off 33 deliveries
Imad Wasim led the bowling attack for the Orcas, claiming one wicket and conceding only 19 runs in his quota of four overs.
Chasing a target of 145 runs, SEO displayed a composed batting performance to reach the required total with two balls to spare. Nauman Anwar played a crucial knock, scoring 48 runs off 37 deliveries, while Wasim contributed with a well-crafted 43 runs off 38 balls. Their partnership played a pivotal role in guiding the Orcas to victory.
The Freedom bowlers fought hard to defend their total, with Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Akeal Hosein and Moises Henriques each picking up a wicket. However, SEO batters held their nerve and ensured their team’s success.
Wasim’s outstanding all-round performance earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award. Not only did he contribute with the ball, but his gritty knock with the bat proved to be the difference-maker in the match.
Comprehensive victory for Seattle Orcas: https://t.co/TNrH1GbfIt#cricket #MajorLeagueCricket #MLC2023 #SEOvWAF #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/5Nu38qDzXB
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 15, 2023
“I thought the wicket was good, we bowled really well,” Wasim said in the post-match presentation.
“We had to grind it out in the second half and go from over to over. It was about being calm.
“In powerplay it’s hard, every team is losing wickets. When I saw the wicket, the conditions were demanding. I tried to grind it out in the middle,” the left-hander added.
