MLC 2025: Hetmyer, Jones Lead Seattle Orcas to Thrilling Last-Over Win Against LA Knight Riders
Shimron Hetmyer’s explosive finishing touch and Aaron Jones’ measured brilliance guided the Seattle Orcas to a dramatic five-wicket win over the Los Angeles Knight Riders in a high-scoring Major League Cricket (MLC) encounter at Grand Prairie. With just one ball to spare in a chase of 203, the Orcas pulled off their second consecutive nail-biting win—keeping their playoff hopes alive in a tightly-contested points table.
Coming off a last-ball match-winning effort the previous night, Hetmyer was promoted up the order and responded with another electrifying knock, hammering 64 off just 24 balls at a strike rate of 266.67. The left-hander, who struck six towering sixes and four boundaries, proved unstoppable at the death, particularly taking apart Tanveer Sangha’s final over to turn the game back in Seattle’s favor.
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However, the chase had been built on a solid foundation laid by Aaron Jones and Shayan Jahangir. The pair stitched a crucial 119-run partnership for the second wicket after early trouble saw opener Josh Brown dismissed on just the second ball of the innings. Jahangir made 43 before falling in the 13th over, leaving Jones to anchor the chase with a commanding 73 off 45 deliveries.
Despite the commanding stand, the game tilted when Tanveer Sangha struck twice in his third over, conceding only two runs and briefly halting Seattle’s momentum. But Hetmyer’s aggressive intent ensured there was no collapse, with his 18-ball fifty swinging the momentum back for the Orcas.
Earlier in the match, the Knight Riders recovered impressively from a shaky start, thanks to the explosive middle-order performances of Andre Russell, Saif Badar, and Rovman Powell. After being restricted to 48/3 in eight overs by spinners Waqar Salamkheil and Harmeet Singh, Russell (65* off 39) and Badar (41 off 21) began the rebuild with a 77-run stand.
Powell added further firepower, smashing 43 off 21 balls in a punishing partnership of 73 runs from just 33 balls alongside Russell. Their combined efforts lifted LAKR to a challenging 202/4 in 20 overs, a total that looked competitive until Seattle’s late surge sealed the contest.
With this win, the Seattle Orcas move to 4 points, tightening the playoff race among the bottom-tier teams. The tournament now shifts to Florida, where the Orcas will face San Francisco Unicorns on Tuesday, while the LA Knight Riders take on MI New York in a must-win clash.
Match Summary:
LA Knight Riders: 202/4 in 20 overs (Andre Russell 65*, Rovman Powell 43*, Saif Badar 41; Waqar Salamkheil 2/29, Harmeet Singh 1/17)
Seattle Orcas: 206/5 in 19.5 overs (Aaron Jones 73, Shimron Hetmyer 64*, Shayan Jahangir 43; Jason Holder 2/36, Tanveer Sangha 2/39)
Result: Seattle Orcas won by 5 wickets with 1 ball to spare.
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