Seattle Orcas defended 121 to defeat Texas Super Kings by nine runs in a low-scoring Major League Cricket contest in Pomona on Sunday, with Dasun Shanaka producing a remarkable four-wicket spell, including the league's first double hat-trick, to keep Seattle's playoff hopes firmly on track.

Seattle Orcas defended a modest total of 121 to register a hard-fought nine-run victory over Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket action in Pomona on July 5, with Dasun Shanaka's four-wicket haul and Ottneil Baartman's incisive opening spell proving decisive in a match dominated by the bowlers.
Dasun Shanaka celebrates after taking four wickets, including Major League Cricket's first double hat-trick, as Seattle Orcas defended 121 to defeat Texas Super Kings by nine runs in Pomona. Photo by Shaun Roy / Sportzpics for MLC

On a surface that offered consistent assistance throughout, Seattle recovered from a difficult start before restricting Texas to 112 for 9 from their 20 overs. Shanaka finished with 4 for 26, claiming MLC's first double hat-trick, while Baartman returned outstanding figures of 3 for 9, including a maiden, as the pair shared seven wickets.

After being sent in to bat, the Orcas quickly found themselves in trouble. Tim Seifert and Matthew Breetzke departed inside the opening three overs, while Shayan Jahangir managed only 3 as Seattle slumped to 15 for 3.

Ali Sheikh briefly steadied the innings with 18 from 15 deliveries before falling to Abhimanyu Lamba. Shimron Hetmyer added 11 before becoming one of three wickets claimed by Amshi de Silva, whose outstanding spell of 3 for 15 from four overs kept constant pressure on the batting side.

Marcus Stoinis was dismissed for 7 and Shanaka contributed 16 before Seattle slipped to 67 for 6 in the 12th over. The innings suffered another setback when Harmeet Singh retired not out through injury on 93 for 7, although he later returned to the crease.

Cameron Gannon played a valuable supporting role with 20 from 21 balls, while Jasdeep Singh remained unbeaten on 13 from 13 deliveries as Seattle battled through to post 121 for 9. Adam Milne was equally impressive for Texas, conceding just 10 runs while taking two wickets, and Dian Forrester chipped in with 1 for 24 in a disciplined bowling display.

Texas began their chase positively through Faf du Plessis, who struck 14 from eight balls, but Baartman changed the course of the innings by trapping the former South Africa captain lbw before removing Saiteja Mukkamalla in the same over. Rilee Rossouw fell for 4 to Jasdeep Singh, while Baartman dismissed Wiaan Mulder for 7 as Texas slipped to 50 for 4 inside 11 overs.


Shubham Ranjane anchored the chase with a determined unbeaten 40 from 44 deliveries, keeping Texas in contention despite regular wickets. Donovan Ferreira added late momentum with 22 from 16 balls, including a six, before Shanaka bowled him to leave the lower order exposed.

Any hopes of a late escape disappeared as Shanaka completed his memorable spell, with Calvin Savage, Adam Milne and Amshi de Silva all falling for golden ducks during the closing overs. Ranjane remained unbeaten at the end, but Texas finished nine runs short.

The victory strengthens Seattle Orcas' push toward the knockout stages, while Texas Super Kings face a difficult path to qualification after another batting performance in which they were unable to build the partnerships required to chase a below-par target.