Former Sri Lanka T20I captain Dasun Shanaka and South Africa pacer Ottneil Baartman became Seattle Orcas saviours as they were able to defend a total of 121 against Texas Super Kings, beating them by nine runs at Knight Riders Cricket Stadium, Pomona in blockbuster Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 clash on July 5. After Baartman’s economical three-fer, Shanaka claimed a double hat-trick in the final over as Texas Super Kings managed to post 112/9 in the run chase of 122.
Orcas post modest total
On a tough wicket at Knight Riders Cricket Field, Adam Milne dismissed Orcas openers Tim Seifert and Shayan Jahangir early. Orcas lost half the side for just 48 runs in the 10th over. Cameos from lower order helped Orcas post 121/9, just over six runs per over. For Orcas, Amshi de Silva claimed three wickets for 15 runs. Milne was most economical, conceding just 10 runs from his quota of four overs.
Baartman, Shanaka take Orcas home
Super Kings' run chase got off to a poor start too. Skipper Faf du Plessis departed after a cameo. Shubham Ranjane lacked support from the other end. Donovan Ferreira's cameo of 16-ball 22 revived the run chase but playing too many dot balls haunted Super Kings. Baartman conceded just nine runs from his quota of four overs including a maiden. In the final over, Super Kings needed 15 runs. Ranjane started well with a boundary. On the next ball, he managed a single. With 10 needed off four balls, Ferreira went for a big shot but was outsmarted by a leg-cutter that kept low. After that, tailenders Calvin Savage, Milne and De Silva got out off consecutive deliveries in an attempt to find a boundary.
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Shanaka became the first bowler in MLC history to take a double hat-trick. Before him, Super Kings’ Akeal Hosein was the only bowler to take a hat-trick.
He was named the MVP of the match for maiden hat-trick in his professional cricket career.
The win helped Orcas climb to the second spot on the points table. Super Kings are at the bottom with five losses from eight games.