Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis led Texas Super Kings to a six-wicket win over Seattle Orcas in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 opener at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas, close to FIFA World Cup 2026 action. The limited crowd at the stadium witnessed a run-fest as Super Kings chased down the target of 221 with six wickets in hand and nine balls to spare. Du Plessis scored his ninth T20 ton, outshining Orcas opener Tim Seifert's 104. This is also the second-highest successful run chase in MLC history.
Seifert-Jahangir break MLC all-time partnership record
In the campaign opener, Du Plessis won the toss and opted to bowl first. Seifert went in on attacking mode in the first over, hitting Wiaan Mulder for a six and two fours. Shayan Jahangir played second fiddle as Orcas were 57 for no loss after six overs. Seifert reached his half-century from 32 balls. At halfway stage, Orcas were 89 for no loss. After the drinks break, the acceleration came. Jahangir hit Mohammad Mohsin for four consecutive sixes. He reached his fifty from 32 balls.
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The opening partnership was broken in the 18th over by Amshi de Silva. Jahangir departed for a 47-ball 78, featuring three fours and seven sixes. Jahangir and Seifert shared a 191-run opening partnership, the highest for any wicket in MLC history. In the penultimate over, Seifert reached his maiden MLC hundred from 64 balls. In the final over, Adam Milne ended Seifert's stay at the crease, getting him out caught and bowled. The Kiwi wicketkeeper-batter's 66-ball 104 was laced with eight fours and six sixes. Skipper Marcus Stoinis helped Orcas finish with a flourish by hitting two sixes. Orcas posted 220/2 o the board.
Du Plessis’ plays captain’s knock
In the run chase, Saiteja Mukkamalla got out for a golden duck to Jasdeep Singh. In Jasdeep's next over, Du Plessis hit him for a four and two consecutive sixes. Then, Rilee Rossouw hit Cameron Gannon for three consecutive fours. After powerplay overs, Super Kings were 89/1. Stoinis brought himself into the attack and broke the partnership after conceding a six. As Seifert took a one-handed stunner, Rossouw departed for a 21-ball 49. Super Kings crossed the 100-run mark in the eighth over. In the next over, Du Plessis completed his fifty from 24 balls.
Milind Kumar couldn't do much in the run chase and lost his wicket to Ottneil Baartman for a 12-ball 13. In his next over, Du Plessis hit three sixes. Gannon returned to dismiss Shubham Ranjane. Wiaan Mulder arrived at the crease and didn't let the tempo drop. In the 16th over, the 41-year-old Du Plessis reached his ninth T20 ton from 45 balls. On the third ball of the penultimate over, Super Kings completed the run chase. Mulder contributed with an unbeaten 15-ball 31 cameo. Du Plessis carried his bat, hitting seven sixes and nine fours in his 52-ball 113.