The Seattle Orcas have made an exciting signing ahead of the inaugural edition of Major League Cricket (MLC), securing the services of Sri Lanka’s white-ball captain, Dasun Shanaka. The highly anticipated competition is set to commence on July 13, featuring six teams vying for the prestigious title.
Seattle Orcas, one of the six franchises, took to their official social media platform to announce the signing, generating a wave of excitement among fans. They warmly welcomed Dasun Shanaka, an impressive all-rounder who led Sri Lanka to victory in the Asian Cup in 2022, to the Seattle Orcas family.
Having showcased remarkable performances in 2022, Shanaka played a pivotal role in guiding the Sri Lankan team to clinch the Asia Cup against Pakistan in the UAE. With an extensive T20 experience, he has amassed 3,724 runs in 183 matches, including 15 half-centuries and three centuries. Additionally, he has proven his bowling prowess by claiming 59 wickets in 93 innings.
In addition to Shanaka, the Seattle Orcas have also signed seasoned fast bowler Wayne Parnell for the upcoming season. During the MLC Draft, the franchise secured the services of renowned players like Quinton de Kock and Mitchell Marsh.
It’s worth noting that Seattle will not host any fixtures in the 2023 season. However, the league, in collaboration with King County and the City of Bellevue, is working towards constructing a Community Park that could accommodate up to 6,000 spectators for future home games.
The other five teams participating in the top-tier MLC league in the USA are MI New York, Washington Freedom, San Francisco Unicorns, Los Angeles Knight Riders, and Texas Super Kings. Over the course of 18 days, a total of 19 matches will be played, culminating in the MLC championship final on July 30.
