darsang shanaka Posted one of the most spectacular results in Cognizant Major League Cricket history, claiming the competition’s first-ever double hat-trick to help the Seattle Orcas defend a modest total and record a ninth straight victory over the Texas Super Kings. While Texas fell within 15 points heading into the final, the Orca defense held just 121 points and looked to be under tremendous pressure. However, Shanaka produced a memorable performance under pressure, removing four batsmen on four consecutive deliveries to snatch victory from the visitors. Texas’ top scorer Shubham Ranjane started the match with a single and the score was reduced to 10 runs in the last four balls. Shanaka then completely took over. His first victim was Donovan Ferreira, whose stumps were mangled with a carefully disguised leg-severing knife. Calvin Savage followed up by missing another slower pass and firing a long shot straight to Shimron Hetmyer. Adam Milne came in with Texas still asking for 10 points on two goals. Shanaka stuck to his change and created an advantage behind the wicket to complete his hat-trick. The drama isn’t over yet. Faced with the final ball, Amesh de Silva attempted a thumping strike with the game already out of reach. He missed a long-on chance and Hetmyer completed the catch, giving Shanaka his fourth wicket in four balls to complete the first double hat-trick in MLS history and seal a memorable win for Seattle. This low-scoring game was dominated by the pitchers from the start. After electing to start, Texas cut the Orcas to 44/4 before collapsing again in the 13th round, leaving them with a 70/7 record. The early wickets saw Tim Seifert, Matthew Breetzke and Shayan Jehangir dismissed in the Powerplay while Marcus Stonis”’s departure further undermines Seattle’s hopes of a competitive finish. Harmeet Singh and Cameron Gannon steadied the innings with a valuable 31-run partnership before Shanaka’s low-lying contributions of 16 took the Orcas to 121/9. Texas begins aggressive pursuit Fife du Plessisbut the momentum quickly shifted. Ottneil Baartman played well, dismissing Du Plessis and Saiteja Mukkamala before removing Wiaan Mulder for one wicket. He ended the match with a superb performance of 3 for 9 while Adam Milne had been brilliant with the ball earlier, conceding just 10 runs in his 4 overs and taking two wickets. While Ranjane kept Texas in the game and Ferreira’s late boundary and penultimate six reduced the target to 15 from the last six overs, Shanaka’s masterclass of slow balls and chipping ensured the Orcas crossed the finish line. His remarkable final not only secured victory for Seattle, but also etched his name in the MLS record books with a historic two hat-tricks.
