GRAND PRAIRIE: Henrich Klaasen’s magnificent half-century and a effort from the bowlers led Seattle Orcas to a comfortable 35-run victory over San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket (MLC).
Opting to bat first, Orcas’ batters backed the decision of their captain and showcased brilliance to piwer their side to a commendable total of 177/4 in 20 overs.
The Orcas had a contrasting start to their innings as they lost Quintin de Kock (7) in the second over with just nine runs on the scoreboard.
Nauman Anwar and Shehan Jayasuriya launched a recovery for the Orcas with a gritty 44-run partnership before the former perished in the sixth over.
Anwar scored 30 off 21 deliveries and smashed five boundaries.
With the Orcas 53/2 inside the power play, Klaasen joined Jayasuriya in the middle and the pair stitched an important partnership, adding 47 runs to the total.
Corey Anderson got the much-needed breakthrough for the Unicorns in the 12th over when he got rid of Jayasuriya, who could score 33 from 27 balls.
Meanwhile, Klaasen stood his ground firm and received subtle support from Shimron Hetmyer amid their 54-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Klaasen remained the core aggressor of the fourth-wicket stand and scored at a brisk rate at the backend before finally perishing in the 17th over.
He top-scored for the Orcas with a 31-ball 53 which featured four boundaries and three sixes.
Hetmyer, however, carried his bat all the way through with an unbeaten 36 off 30.
For the Unicorns, Liam Plunkett bagged two wickets while Haris Rauf and Corey Anderson made one scalp each.
Set to chase a daunting 178, the Unicorns batting lineup failed despite a decent start and bundled out for 142 in the 18th over.
Unicorns openers Finn Allen and Matthew Wade provided a decent start to the pursuit with a 42-run stand but both perished in successive overs as Orcas hit back.
Allen and Wade both scored 28 each.
The Unicorns then began to lose wickets at an alarming rate and we’re soon bowled out for a modest 142.
Shadab Khan played a fighting knock amid the collapse as he scored a quickfire 37 from 23 balls, laced up with two boundaries and two sixes.
His blitz, however, went in vain as Orcas booked Unicorns on 142 to seal their second consecutive victory in the ongoing MLC and topped the standings.