USA all-rounder Ian Holland starred with a four-wicket haul for just 19 runs as Washington Freedom restricted Seattle Orcas for 145/9 and beat them by five wickets with 39 balls to spare. Washington Freedom top-order contributed with cameos and then captain Glenn Maxwell ensured there is no collapse. After announcing his ODI retirement, Maxwell returned to form with an unbeaten 20-ball 38.
Good start from Warner, Mayers
Earlier, Seattle Orcas captain Heinrich Klaasen won the toss and opted to bat first. David Warner was impressive in the powerplay overs. He found boundaries with precision. Kyle Mayers took his time and then took on Glenn Phillips in the fifth over. Jack Edwards broke the opening partnership with Warner's wicket. The former Australian opener scored 31 runs from 17 balls. Seattle Orcas were 66/1 after powerplay overs. In the next over, Mitchell Owen got the wicket of Mayers. The Caribbean opener scored 27 runs from 17 balls.
Seattle Orcas suffer collapse
Steven Taylor and Klaasen tried to keep the momentum on Seattle Orcas' side. But, Holland got the wicket of Klaasen at the halfway stage. He scored 17 runs from 13 balls. In the next over, Edwards dismissed Taylor for a 15-ball 16. In his third over, Holland dismissed Aaron Jones and Harmeet Singh. The collapse continued as Holland got Cameron Gannon's wicket in his last over. Sikandar Raza struggled to score on the other end. Then, Jessy Singh got run out. On the final ball, Raza lost his wicket to Abhishek Paradkar. He scored just 15 runs from 26 balls. The only six he hit was off the penultimate ball of the innings. From 95/2 in the 10th over, Seattle Orcas posted 145/9.
Ravindra, Owen score big in powerplay overs
Washington Freedom's run chase got off to a fiery start. Owen hit a six off the first ball. Then, Mayers lost his line and bowled three wides. He conceded two more fours off Rachin Ravindra's bat. In the first over, 20 runs were scored. In the third over, Owen and Ravindra hit one six each. Gannon got Owen's wicket after taking a beating. The Australian opener returned to the dugout after an 11-ball 25. Ravindra continued to find the fence. He used the short boundaries well. Andries Gous joined him in the onslaught as well. After six overs, Washington Freedom were 90/1.
Salamkheil strikes but Maxwell guides Freedom home
Wrist spinner Waqar Salamkheil was introduced into the attack in the seventh over. The Afghan spinner conceded just one run and knocked over Gous for a 10-ball 26. In his second over, Obed McCoy dismissed Ravindra lbw for an 18-ball 44. Maxwell did not let the tempo drop and hit Salamkheil for a six and two fours. Glenn Phillips struggled to score and lost his wicket to Harmeet Singh in the 11th over. Edwards arrived at the crease and hit a six. Salamkheil returned to attack and got the wicket of Edwards. In the 13th over, Washington Freedom got over the line. They won the match by five wickets with 39 balls to spare. Maxwell remained not out for a 20-ball 38.