By Tim Douglas 
Washington Freedom Smash Orcas with Bowling Brilliance in MLC Showdown
Washington Freedom put on a devastating display of bowling and intent, dismantling the Seattle Orcas in a one-sided contest that ended with an emphatic 8-wicket win. On a night where every aspect of their game clicked, Freedom not only sealed two points but also sent a strong message to playoff contenders.
Seattle, who entered the fixture on the back of three consecutive wins, were rolled over for a paltry 82 runs in just 10 overs, unable to withstand the relentless pressure applied by the Freedom bowlers.
Veteran pacer Saurabh Netravalkar set the tone from ball one, removing Shayan Jahangir with a pinpoint delivery. He followed up with the dismissal of Orcas captain Sikandar Raza, putting the innings in disarray early. From the other end, Glenn Maxwell weaved through the middle order, scalping three crucial wickets — including power-hitter Kyle Mayers and experienced campaigners Aaron Jones and Steven Taylor.
Jack Edwards joined the wicket-fest with three of his own, as the Orcas lost half their side for just 21 runs in the powerplay — a collapse they couldn’t recover from.
The lone bright spark for Seattle was Heinrich Klaasen, who fought valiantly with a counterattacking 48 off 26 balls. However, with no support from the other end, the innings folded in dramatic fashion.
Freedom’s chase was calm and calculated. Rachin Ravindra, opening the innings, ensured a smooth start with a fluent 32 off 23. After the early fall of Mitchell Owen, he was joined by Mukhtar Ahmed, who took over the anchor role, finishing unbeaten on 36 from just 21 deliveries.
Their 42-run stand ensured that Freedom cruised home with 64 balls to spare, a margin that provided a massive boost to their net run rate.
The loss leaves the Seattle Orcas in a precarious position, with their playoff chances now hinging on a must-win match against the Texas Super Kings. Meanwhile, Washington Freedom, tied on points with San Francisco Unicorns but ahead on net run rate, look well-poised for a top-two finish.
Match Summary:
Seattle Orcas: 82 all out in 10 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 48; Glenn Maxwell 3/12, Saurabh Netravalkar 3/13, Jack Edwards 3/19)
Washington Freedom: 86/2 in 9.2 overs (Mukhtar Ahmed 36*, Rachin Ravindra 32; Sikandar Raza 1/18)
Result: Washington Freedom beat Seattle Orcas by 8 wickets (64 balls remaining)
As the MLC 2025 playoff race intensifies, Freedom’s dominance may have just shifted the balance in their favor.
Zainab Shafiq