Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE T20I captain Sikandar Raza’s Major League Cricket (MLC) side, the Seattle Orcas, suffered their second defeat of the new campaign — a crushing 93-run loss to the Texas Super Kings yesterday.
Raza’s team was dismissed for just 60 runs while chasing a target of 154, marking their second consecutive defeat in as many matches. They now sit at the bottom of the six-team standings.
The Zimbabwean stalwart bowled three overs, conceding 24 runs, as the Texas Super Kings posted 153/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
With the bat, Raza managed just five runs as the Orcas were bowled out in only 13.5 overs, struggling to build any momentum.
Jasdeep Singh and Harmeet Singh claimed two wickets apiece for the Orcas, conceding 34 and 24 runs respectively in their four-over spells. Obed McCoy and Waqar Salamkheil chipped in with one wicket each.
Saiteja Mukkamalla top-scored for the Texas Super Kings with 30 runs off 23 balls before being caught by Raza off the bowling of Harmeet Singh. Marcus Stoinis added a quick-fire 28 off 12 deliveries, while Daryl Mitchell contributed 25 from 26 balls.
During the chase, Raza fell on the final ball of the fifth over, caught by Devon Conway off the bowling of Zia-ul-Haq.
Only two Seattle Orcas batters reached double figures — Aaron Jones top-scored with 17 runs off as many deliveries, while Jasdeep Singh managed 12 from 26 balls. Three batters were dismissed without scoring.
Zia-ul-Haq and Nandre Burger starred with the ball for the Texas Super Kings, each claiming three wickets for 16 and 10 runs, respectively. Noor Ahmed also impressed, taking three wickets for 18 runs in his four-over spell. Stoinis picked up the remaining wicket.
Raza and his Seattle Orcas side return to action tomorrow when they are scheduled to face Mumbai Indians New York. — @brandon_malvin
