Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka scripted an
unforgettable chapter in Major League Cricket (MLC) history by taking the
tournament's first-ever double hat-trick (4 wickets in 4 balls).
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| Image Credits: Cricinfo |
Playing for the Seattle Orcas against the Texas Super Kings,
Shanaka pulled off a miraculous heist in the final over to defend a low total
of 121, securing a thrilling 9-run victory for his team.
The Epic Final Over Breakdown
Texas Super Kings needed 15 runs off the final 6 balls with
well-set batters at the crease. Here is how Shanaka turned the match completely
on its head:
- Ball 1: Shubham Ranjane hits a boundary (4). (Equation: 11 runs needed off 5 balls).
- Ball 2: Ranjane takes a single (1) to put Donovan Ferreira on strike. (Equation: 10 runs needed off 4 balls).
- Ball 3 (Wicket 1): Shanaka bowls a perfectly disguised leg-cutter to shatter the stumps of the dangerous Donovan Ferreira.
- Ball 4 (Wicket 2): Calvin Savage attempts a big hit off a slower ball but miscues it straight to Shimron Hetmyer at long-on.
- Ball 5 (Wicket 3 - Hat-trick): Adam Milne walks in with 10 needed off 2. Shanaka forces an edge straight behind the wicket to complete a historic hat-trick.
- Ball 6 (Wicket 4 - Double Hat-trick): With the game out of reach but a final ball left, Amshi de Silva lofts a desperate shot toward long-on, where Hetmyer catches it comfortably to complete the 4-in-4 madness.
The Miracle Collapse
Texas Super Kings went from a highly manageable 112/5 on the
second ball of the 20th over to 112/9 and almost all-out by the final delivery! Shanaka finished the match with brilliant overall figures of 4 for 26 in his 4
overs, alongside an outstanding spell from teammate Ottneil Baartman (3 for 9).
