South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen became the first-ever batsman to record a century in the history of the Major League Cricket (MLC) – his 44-ball 110* helped the Seattle Orcas defeat MI New York at the Church Street Park in Morrisville.
Chasing a target of 195 in the 15th match of the inaugural MLC season, the Seattle Orcas gunned down the target in 19.2 overs courtest of this blistering century from Klaasen.
Klaasen has upped his white-ball power-hitting on multiple levels in recent years and has cemented a place in South Africa’s white-ball teams and in the T20 franchise leagues around the world.
That brutal ball-muscling was on show in Morrisville: his 44-ball 110* knock included 9 fours and 7 gigantic sixes. Three of those sixes came in a single over of Rashid Khan, who is arguably the best T20 bowler in the world.
Rashid had been bowling brilliantly in the game before being taken down by Klaasen. In his first three overs, Rashid had conceded only 15 runs, bowled a maiden, and taken two wickets. So the challenge for Klaasen was big and mighty against the leg-spinner but the South African took it head on when Rashid was re-introduced in the 16th over, when Seattle Orcas needed 53 runs in 30 balls, the match hanging in balance.
WATCH: Heinrich Klaasen tears into Rashid Khan for a 26-run over
Klaasen tore into Rashid Khan to clatter the leggie for three sixes and a four in a 26-run over that changed the charge of the game confortably in Seattle’s favor. That Klassen mauled Rashid, the best MI New York bowler, further deflated the bowling team.
Watch the video of Heinrich Klaasen’s hammering to Rashid Khan here:
HEINRICH KLAASEN IS TAKING ON EVERYBODY!
Heinrich Klaasen BLASTS 3 SIXES against Rashid Khan!
1⃣6⃣6⃣/4⃣ (15.5) pic.twitter.com/nYJQrnXh06
— Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 26, 2023
Klaasen completed the chase in 19.2 overs with a mammoth six. With this win, the Seattle Orcas sit at the top of the points table with 4 wins in 5 matches and have qualified for the playoffs. Their aim will now be to finish in the top two.
