GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas β Major League Cricket delivered an unforgettable run-fest on Wednesday night as the Texas Super Kings chased down a daunting 221 to defeat the Seattle Orcas by six wickets in one of the most thrilling matches in league history.
The contest featured two centuries, a record-breaking opening partnership, and a successful pursuit that showcased the explosive nature of modern T20 cricket.
Texas Super Kings captain Faf du Plessis smashed an unbeaten 113 off 52 balls, becoming the second centurion of the opening match of the 2026 Major League Cricket season and leading his side to a record-breaking six-wicket victory over the Seattle Orcas. Photo by Ron Gaunt / Sportzpics for MLC
Seattle Orcas laid the foundation for victory with a commanding batting display led by Tim Seifert and Shayan Jahangir. The opening pair produced the highest partnership in MLC history, adding 191 runs for the first wicket and putting the Super Kings under immense pressure.
Seifert was at his destructive best, reaching his century in just 48 deliveries before eventually departing for 104 from 66 balls. Jahangir played the perfect supporting role, hammering 78 from 47 deliveries, including seven towering sixes, as the Orcas posted an imposing 220 for 2 from their 20 overs.
With little assistance available for the bowlers, Nandre Burger and Amshi de Silva worked hard to contain the scoring, but the Orcasβ powerful batting lineup appeared to have produced a match-winning total.
The Super Kingsβ chase began in disastrous fashion when Saiteja Mukkamalla was dismissed off the first ball of the innings. However, veteran skipper Faf du Plessis quickly turned the momentum back in his teamβs favor.
Partnering with Rilee Rossouw, du Plessis launched a fierce counterattack. Rossouw blasted 49 from just 21 balls, striking seven boundaries and two sixes, before falling one run short of a half-century.
While wickets fell around him, du Plessis remained in complete control. The South African star reached his fourth Major League Cricket century in only 46 balls and continued to punish the Orcas attack throughout the innings.
Finishing unbeaten on 113 from 52 deliveries, du Plessis anchored the chase with a masterclass in power and precision. His knock also made him the oldest centurion in menβs T20 cricket. Wiaan Mulder provided valuable support late in the innings with an unbeaten 31 off 15 balls as Texas crossed the finish line at 221 for 4 in just 18.3 overs, sealing victory with nine balls remaining.
The match produced a staggering 441 runs and featured some of the most explosive batting seen in the league. Despite the heroics of Seifert and Jahangir, the Orcas were unable to defend their massive total as the Super Kingsβ batting firepower proved decisive.
Brief Scores: Seattle Orcas 220/2 (Tim Seifert 104, Shayan Jahangir 78) lost to Texas Super Kings 221/4 in 18.3 overs (Faf du Plessis 113*, Rilee Rossouw 49) by six wickets.
News