The Seattle Orcas kept their playoff hopes alive with a dramatic last-over victory against the Los Angeles Knight Riders, securing their second win in as many matches in the 2025 Major League Cricket season. The match, which had playoff implications for both teams, was a high-stakes contest as both sides sought the fourth and final playoff spot.

The Seattle Orcas won the toss and elected to bowl first by captain Sikandar Raza. The decision saw the Orcas bowlers face an experienced LA batting lineup with openers Unmukt Chand and Andre Fletcher. However, they struggled to assert themselves in the powerplay, managing just 41-1 after the first six overs.

As the innings progressed, Andre Russell and Saif Badar steadied the ship with a crucial middle-order partnership. Russell played a vital role, anchoring the innings with a brisk 65* from 39 balls. Badar’s quickfire cameo, which included three sixes off Ayan Desai in the 14th over, lifted the Knight Riders to 128-3 with six overs to go. However, Badar was dismissed shortly thereafter by Waqar Salamkheil.

With momentum shifting, Rovman Powell joined Russell, and the pair launched a blistering assault. Powell added 43* from just 21 balls, helping the Knight Riders finish with a daunting total of 202-4, setting the Orcas a target of 203.

Seattle’s chase got off to a rocky start as Josh Brown was dismissed for a duck after facing just two balls. However, Shayan Jahangir and Aaron Jones responded with a solid recovery, combining for a 53-run partnership by the end of the powerplay. Jones was the aggressor, timing the ball superbly and finding the gaps with ease. A dominant 20-run 10th over reduced the required run rate, and the Orcas seemed well on course to chase down the target.

But the momentum shifted again when both Jahangir and Jones were dismissed in quick succession. Heinrich Klaasen joined the fray but fell to Powell for a brief 8 runs, a victim of a sharp catch at deep midwicket.

With the required rate climbing, the stage was set for Shimron Hetmyer to play the match-winning role. Although his partner Kyle Mayers struggled for timing, Hetmyer remained calm under pressure, keeping the chase alive. In a performance reminiscent of his game-winning knock against MI New York, Hetmyer showed his class, striking a game-clinching six over long-on in the final over to seal the victory for Seattle.

Hetmyer’s unbeaten 64 from 26 balls, supported by Mayers’ 9* (12), helped the Orcas finish at 203-5 with just one ball to spare, handing them a thrilling win.

The victory moves the Seattle Orcas closer to the playoff spots, and they will now face the SF Unicorns in a must-win clash on July 1 as the tournament heads to Florida.

Written By - Bharat Singh