(Source X)
Pakistan’s leading fast bowler, Haris Rauf, continues to be a prime target for batsmen across all formats, both domestically and internationally, including in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024. Currently playing for the San Francisco Unicorns (SFU) in this season’s MLC, Rauf faced a formidable challenge from Sri Lankan batsman Shehan Jayasuriya.
In the 13th match at Church Street Park in Morrisville, Jayasuriya’s exceptional shot left Rauf astonished and visibly frustrated during the encounter between SFU and Seattle Orcas (SOR).
San Francisco Unicorns won the MLC 2024 match, but Shehan Jayasuriya’s stunning shot stole the show.
Opening alongside Ryan Rickelton (29) for the Seattle Orcas (SOR), Jayasuriya showcased his batting prowess with a stellar innings, but his fifty-run effort couldn’t steer his team to victory as the San Francisco Unicorns (SFU) triumphed by 23 runs in the MCL 2024 clash at Church Street Park in Morrisville. This defeat marked the Seattle Orcas’ (SOR) fourth loss in the ongoing tournament.
The left-handed veteran, aged 32, displayed his class by striking seven fours and two sixes during his impressive knock of 54 runs off just 37 deliveries before falling to the bowling of Australian captain and star pacer Pat Cummins in the MLC 2024 match.
Reflecting on Jayasuriya’s memorable shot against Rauf, fans and spectators were treated to one of the league’s standout moments during the sixth over of the Seattle Orcas’ (SOR) innings against the San Francisco Unicorns (SFU).
Rauf delivered a short-of-a-length ball outside the off-stump. Jayasuriya, anticipating the line and length, adopted an unorthodox stance and executed a audacious reverse scoop, timing the shot perfectly to send the ball sailing effortlessly over the wicketkeeper’s head for a boundary.
Shehan Jayasuriya’s unbelievable reverse scoop stunned Haris Rauf.
The Pakistan fast bowler couldn’t hide his disbelief after witnessing the audacious shot from the Sri Lankan batsman. Despite his glare towards Jayasuriya, Haris Rauf returned without a wicket, conceding 30 runs from his allotted four overs. Nevertheless, his team, the San Francisco Unicorns (SFU), secured a convincing 23-run victory, marking their second win in the ongoing MCL 2024 season.
Meanwhile, footage of Rauf falling victim to Jayasuriya’s inventive reverse shot quickly went viral across various social media platforms. Fans, accustomed to seeing Rauf face tough challenges, shared humorous reactions to the bowler’s tough outing in the new T20 league.
Watch the Video-
Corey Anderson pleased with San Francisco Unicorns’ efforts against Seattle Orcas.
Meanwhile, San Francisco Unicorns (SFU) captain Corey Anderson said at the post-match presentation, “Pretty good result. The boys did a great job in the back end of the batting innings and then came out strong with the ball.” Praising Sanjay Krishnamurthi for his quick cameo of 30 runs off 21 balls, the skipper said: “He’s a young kid who’s got so much talent. Huge pluses for him today. It was a pretty big inning in the context of the game. 30 runs in a game like this is huge.”
Anderson signed off by saying, “Pat Cummins is a world-class player; just having him in the group speaking cricket calms the group. Great for the balance of the team as well. We want to try and win every game; we go back to Dallas, and we want to reassess quickly, so hopefully we can get a bit of momentum out of this one.”
