Xplorich
Dasun Shanaka delivered one of the most remarkable finishes in Cognizant Major League Cricket history, claiming the tournament’s first-ever double hat-trick to help the Seattle Orcas defend a modest total and seal a thrilling nine-run victory over the Texas Super Kings. Defending just 121, the Orcas looked under immense pressure when Texas entered the final over needing 15 runs. However, Shanaka produced an unforgettable spell under pressure, dismissing four batters in four consecutive deliveries to snatch victory from the visitors. After Shubham Ranjane, who top-scored for Texas, began the over with a boundary and a single, the equation came down to 10 runs from the final four balls. Shanaka then completely took over. His first victim was Donovan Ferreira, whose stumps were shattered by a well-disguised leg-cutter. Calvin Savage followed immediately after, mistiming another slower delivery straight to Shimron Hetmyer at long-on. Adam Milne walked in with Texas still requiring 10 runs from two balls. Shanaka stuck to his variations, inducing an edge behind the wicket to complete a hat-trick. The drama was not over. Facing the final ball, Amshi de Silva attempted a big hit despite the game already being beyond reach. He miscued the shot towards long-on, where Hetmyer completed the catch to hand Shanaka a fourth wicket in four balls, completing the first double hat-trick in Major League Cricket history and securing a memorable win for Seattle. The low-scoring encounter was dominated by bowlers from the outset. After opting to field first, Texas reduced the Orcas to 44/4 before another collapse left them struggling at 70/7 in the 13th over. Early wickets saw Tim Seifert, Matthew Breetzke and Shayan Jehangir dismissed inside the Powerplay, while Marcus Stoinis‘ departure further dented Seattle’s hopes of posting a competitive score. Harmeet Singh and Cameron Gannon steadied the innings with a valuable 31-run partnership before lower-order contributions, including Shanaka’s 16 runs, lifted the Orcas to 121/9. Texas began the chase positively through Faf du Plessis, but the momentum quickly shifted. Ottneil Baartman produced a superb spell, removing both Du Plessis and Saiteja Mukkamalla before later returning to dismiss Wiaan Mulder during a wicket-maiden over. He finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 9, while Adam Milne had earlier starred with the ball by conceding only 10 runs in his four overs and taking two wickets. Despite Ranjane keeping Texas in the contest and Ferreira’s late boundary and six in the penultimate over reducing the target to 15 from the final six deliveries, Shanaka’s masterclass of slower balls and cutters ensured the Orcas crossed the finish line. His extraordinary final over not only secured Seattle’s victory but also etched his name into the Major League Cricket record books with a historic double hat-trick.
