MLC 2023: Heinrich Klaasen went bonkers on World-class ballers, His 44-ball 110* help Orcas chase a record total

In their final league match of the inaugural season of MLC 2023, Heinrich Klaasen 44-ball 110*—the first century of the MLC—demolished MI New York. With two wickets in hand and four balls remaining and topping the points table, Seattle Orcas were able to successfully chase down the record 195-run total thanks to the South African wicketkeeper-batter’s efforts. MI New York has made the playoffs despite the close loss.

Despite a 62-run partnership between Klaasen and opener Nauman Anwar, who raced to a 30-ball 51, Orcas were having difficulties in the difficult run chase. Orcas found themselves in a precarious situation when Nauman left while attempting to play one shot too many against Nosthush Kenjige and top edging to Rashid Khan at extra cover. Soon after gloving a swivel pull off Trent Boult to the goalkeeper, Shubham Ranjane left.

MLC 2023: Heinrich Klaasen ton helps Orcas chase record score

The turning point in the run chase, though, came in the 16th over. Brevis dropped Klassen at deep mid wicket only a few balls later, and in his final over, he destroyed Rashid Khan. In a 26-run over, the legspinner was blasted for three sixes and a boundary to shift the momentum in Orcas’ favor. A string of wickets, though, restored parity to the match.

In the subsequent over, David Wiese dismissed Dasun Shanaka, and Trent Boult then struck three times. With little over two overs remaining, Orcas were reduced to 176 for 8 with to Dwaine Pretorius’ outside edge to the keeper and the slower deliveries that foxed Imad Wasim and Harmeet Singh into being trapped legbefore and bowled, respectively.

Klaasen didn’t think too much about it. In order to get a century, he blasted a boundary off Ehsan Adil down the pitch. He then added four more runs to end the penultimate over. He hit a slower ball by Kenjige over long on for a six with the second ball of the final over to assist Orcas achieve the highest run chase of MLC 2023.

After being assigned to bat first earlier in the day, MI New York amassed 194 for 8 thanks to Nicholas Pooran’s 34-ball 68. The powerful southpaw laid the groundwork for his team’s high total by slamming three boundaries and seven sixes. He received strong assistance from Kieron Pollard’s 18-ball 34 as the West Indian pair put up a 67-run partnership in 36 balls for the fourth wicket during the middle overs.

Imad Wasim and Harmeet Singh, a left-arm spin bowling pair, bowled stingily and both claimed two wickets, with Singh even dismissing Pollard and Tim David, a formidable opening pair. Intriguingly, Trent Boult’s quick but enjoyable 6-ball knock had a flourish with a couple of sixes lower down the order.

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