Match 20, Dallas, June 29, 2025, 05:30 AM
Los Angeles Knight Riders
202/4(20.0ov)
Seattle Orcas
206/5(19.5ov)
Seattle Orcas beat Los Angeles Knight Riders by 5 wickets
Right then, that will be it from us for this contest. We hope you enjoyed it. Make sure to join in tomorrow (30th June, Monday) for Match 21 in the MLC 2025, where the Texas Super Kings will take on the MI New York from the same venue. That game will start at 12.00 am GMT. But as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!
Sikandar Raza, the Seattle Orcas skipper, is up for a chat. He says that winning yesterday did a lot of good for the confidence. Adds that they want to take a game at a time and take it from there. Shares that people are trying hard, but there will be mistakes. Mentions that he could have bowled, but they tried to be more aggressive by using the wrist spinner. Adds that they need to back the match-ups, and it worked well. Ends by crediting Aaron Jones, who took his chance and batted brilliantly.
Shimron Hetmyer wins the Player of the Match award for his stellar knock. He says that he is feeling tired but thankful that they got over the line, and is hoping to carry on. Adds that once they have a decent start, it makes the job easier for the rest and they play with a clear mind. Closes by sharing that he is happy with his game at the moment, but hopes for the leg to get better.
Presentation time...
Jason Holder, the Los Angeles Knight Riders skipper, is up for a chat. He says that they had a decent score but might have been 15-20 runs short. Adds that the execution at the backend wasn’t great as they came close but failed to get over the line. Shares that a couple of big overs gave them the momentum, but they need to find ways to win. Ends by adding that they have done a lot of good things, but need a complete team effort for the remainder of the games.
Earlier, LAKR posted an impressive 202/4 after being put in to bat. Andre Russell led the charge with a blazing unbeaten 65, supported by crucial contributions from Saif Badar and Rovman Powell, both of whom scored in the 40s. For the Orcas, spinners Harmeet Singh and Waqar Salamkheil were the standout bowlers, sharing three wickets between them. The win lifts the Seattle Orcas to fourth place on the points table, while the Los Angeles Knight Riders remain at the bottom, still in search of momentum this season.
The Los Angeles Knight Riders started well with the ball, removing Josh Brown early, but couldn’t maintain the pressure as the Seattle Orcas piled on runs during the first half of the chase. Despite a spirited comeback that saw them pick up three quick wickets, LAKR were unable to stop Shimron Hetmyer, who took the game away with a blistering knock, dismantling the bowling attack and sealing a dramatic win for the Orcas. Jason Holder and Tanveer Sangha chipped in with two wickets each, while Andre Russell delivered a tidy spell and claimed the scalp of the Orcas captain Sikandar Raza.
The Seattle Orcas edged past the Los Angeles Knight Riders by five wickets in yet another nail-biting finish in Dallas, marking their second consecutive win following a mid-season captaincy change. Chasing a daunting target of 203, the Orcas suffered an early blow with the dismissal of Josh Brown. However, local talents Aaron Jones (73) and Shayan Jahangir (43) stitched together a crucial 119-run partnership, laying a strong platform for the chase. The momentum briefly shifted as both set batters fell in quick succession, with Heinrich Klaasen following soon after. But Shimron Hetmyer rose to the occasion yet again, unleashing a breathtaking unbeaten 64 off just 26 deliveries to guide his team to victory in a tense finish. Back-to-back wins have reignited the Orcas’ campaign, with Hetmyer emerging as the undisputed match-winner.
In over# 20
6
0
1
0
1
Shadley van Schalkwyk 55/0(3.5)
19.5
6
SIX! GAME. SET. MATCH! Shimron Hetmyer is the hero again! Low full toss around off. Shimron Hetmyer moves across and pumps it over the straightish long-on fence for half a dozen. Seattle Orcas win by five wickets with a ball to spare.
19.4
.
Oh my word! This is getting interesting. Low full toss, almost a yorker, around off. Shimron Hetmyer bunts it back to the bowler. 3 needed off 2 balls.
19.3
1
Low full toss, around off. Kyle Mayers gets across and chips it on the bounce to long-on for one.
19.2
.
Dot ball now. Yorker length, outside off. Kyle Mayers plays and misses. 4 needed off four balls now.
19.1
1
Full-length delivery outside off. Shimron Hetmyer hits it to deep cover for a single.
Shadley van Schalkwyk has the task of defending four in the final over for LAKR. Can he do the impossible, or will Shimron Hetmyer be the hero for Orcas again?
In over# 19
1
1
1
4
0
1
Andre Russell 29/1(4)
18.6
1
A single to end the over. Low full toss on the middle and leg. Shimron Hetmyer heaves it along the ground to deep square leg for one. Seattle Orcas need 5 off the final over.
18.5
1
Pitched full, around off. Kyle Mayers lofts it on the bounce to deep cover for a single.
18.4
1
Pitched full, at the stumps. Shimron Hetmyer drills it to long-on for a single.