LAKR vs SEO: Shimron Hetmyer and Aaron Jones led the Seattle Orcas to their second consecutive win in MLC 2025, defeating the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) in a last-minute thriller. With this victory, the Orcas reached No. 4 on the points table, whereas LAKR hit rock bottom with just one win from seven matches.
Hetmyer Excels Again in a Match-Winning Performance
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For the second consecutive match, Shimron Hetmyer performed the finisher’s role to perfection. Having clinched a dramatic victory off the last ball against MI New York 24 hours ago, Hetmyer produced another brilliant show. This time against LAKR, he guided the chase with merciless efficiency, with no hint of tiredness from the last match.
Aaron Jones and Jahangir Lay the Foundation
Pursuing a keen target, Seattle Orcas were jolted in the early going as Josh Brown was dismissed for a two-ball duck in the opening over. Aaron Jones (73 from 38) and Shayan Jahangir (42 from 29) stabilized the innings with a 119-run second-wicket partnership. Jones, especially, hit at almost 200, keeping the required rate under control.
Striding in on No. 5 with 77 required from 47 deliveries, Hetmyer had no hesitation. He launched at Ali Khan, dispatching two boundaries in the 14th over, then twin sixes off Tanveer Sangha in the following. Although Andre Russell temporarily slowed things up with a neat over, Hetmyer hit back with two more sixes off Jason Holder in the 17th.
The equation remained close for the last over, but Hetmyer won it with a straight shot against Shadley van Schalkwyk, remaining unbeaten and making the LAKR vs SEO MLC 2025 match in favor of the Orcas.
LAKR’s Inning: Russell and Powell Rescue a Stuttering Start
Earlier, Los Angeles Knight Riders had a sluggish beginning, reaching 41 for 1 in the powerplay and 66 for 3 at the midpoint. Top-order batsmen Andre Fletcher, Unmukt Chand, and Sherfane Rutherford didn’t pick up the pace and loaded the pressure on the middle order.
Moved up to No. 3, Andre Russell batted the Windies out of trouble with a whirlwind 65* off 39 balls. While being ably supported by Saif Badar (41 off 21), Russell fired a salvo of boundaries over four overs that fetched 62 runs.
After Badar’s fall, Rovman Powell also added firepower with a quick 43* off 21 balls, including four sixes, three of them against Jasdeep Singh. Even with their impressive finish, the LAKR bowlers could not hold back the Orcas’ chase.
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Missed Chances and Costly Options Haunt LAKR
LAKR missed crucial chances in the field, particularly dropping Powell twice. Captain Sikandar Raza’s choice not to bowl himself and to use medium-pacers Jasdeep Singh and Ayan Desai during the death overs also failed. Even with a fighting total, LAKR were unable to prevent the in-form Hetmyer.
MLC 2025 Points Table Update
Seattle Orcas: Jumped to 4th position with their second win on the trot.
Los Angeles Knight Riders: Fell to 6th (last), losing 6 out of their 7 games.
Key Performances: LAKR vs SEO, MLC 2025
Shimron Hetmyer (SEO) – Pressure-relieving match-winning knock
Aaron Jones (SEO) – 73 off 38 in quick time
Andre Russell (LAKR) – 65* off 39 explosive knock
Rovman Powell (LAKR) – 43* off 21 with 4 sixes
Waqar Salamkheil (SEO) – 2 crucial wickets
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