MLC: Seattle Orcas won a thriller of a game against Washington Freedom

The Seattle Orcas clinched a thrilling five-wicket victory over Washington Freedom at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas in the third match of the MLC on Friday. The Orcas restricted Washington Freedom to 144/7 and then chased down the total in 19.4 overs. 

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MLC Match 3: Seattle Orcas vs Washington Freedom - What happened in the match?

Orcas won the toss and let Washington Freedom bat first. They didn't have the best start as they lost the wickets of Matthew Short (2) and Mukhtar Ahmed (5) within the first three overs. Andries Gous (28) and Glenn Phillips (20) carried the ship. Skipper Moises Henriques (24) played an important cameo, but could not extend at the crease. Akeal Hosein (33*) took charge at the back end and counter-attacked in the final overs of the innings, helping the Washington Freedom to 144/7 in their 20 overs. Wayne Parnell and Harmeet Singh, picked two wickets each, while Imad Wasim, Cameron Gannon, and Andrew Tye bagged one wicket each.

Washington Freedom's Anrich Nortje bowled brilliantly and got the better of his international teammate Quinton de Kock (10). Nauman Anwar at the other end was building his knock well, and looking to keep Seattle in the game. However, Shehan Jayasuriya (6) and Heinrich Klaasen (1) were the next to depart, as Seattle found themselves under pretty much pressure.

Imad Wasim joined Nauman in the 8th over. The duo constructed a partnership before going through the gears around the midway mark of the chase. The duo put on the biggest partnership in the match, scoring 53 runs from 39 deliveries. Nauman lost his wicket as Dane Piedt sent him to the dugout for 48 in the 14th over. 

Seattle needed 27 from the final 3 overs to win the third MLC match. It was up to Imad Wasim and Shimron Hetmyer to apply the finishing touches. The duo didn't disappoint and took the equation down to 6 from 6. Hetmyer was dismissed for 23 by Marco Jansen in the second delivery of the final over. Shubham Ranjane didn't take time and struck back-to-back boundaries to wrap up the match with two balls to spare.