How Seattle Orcas are using AI to transform team operations in Major League Cricket

A missed airport pick-up for Pakistan fast bowler Zaman Khan during the 2024 Major League Cricket season exposed a recurring operational challenge for the Seattle Orcas. Two years later, that incident has become part of the story behind what the franchise believes is cricket's first fully integrated AI-powered operations ecosystem.The Orcas have developed an artificial intelligence assistant called Yorka that now manages much of the day-to-day administration involved in running a professional cricket team. From tracking player travel and organising transport to booking hotels, processing per diem payments and scheduling appointments, the system has automated a significant portion of the franchise's workload.

According to the franchise, Yorka now handles around 80 per cent of routine operational tasks, allowing staff to devote more time to players, sponsors and team culture.The idea emerged after the franchise's operations team found itself overwhelmed by logistical responsibilities during MLC's formative seasons.One incident in particular highlighted the problem.When Zaman Khan arrived in Seattle for his first stint with the Orcas in July 2024, he was travelling alone and unfamiliar with the United States. Unable to reach then Vice President of Operations Jagan Nemani, who was in a meeting, Khan became increasingly anxious after several unanswered calls.

He eventually walked out of the airport without collecting his luggage.By the time Nemani returned the call, he connected Khan with the driver, who had been waiting inside the terminal holding a placard with the fast bowler's name.For Nemani, however, the episode reflected a much larger issue rather than an isolated mistake.

Managing airport transfers, hotel check-ins, transport schedules, itinerary changes, daily allowances and player requests consumed the vast majority of the operations team's working day.

Unlike IPL franchises, which employ larger support staffs, MLC teams function with leaner resources and tighter budgets."It was duct-tape operations," Nemani, now the franchise's Chief Product Officer, recalled to Cricbuzz.Drawing on his technology background, Nemani and the Orcas ownership began building an AI-driven system to eliminate repetitive administrative work.Named after the franchise's mascot, Yorka functions as a collection of AI agents that communicate with one another throughout a player's stay with the team.Once a player's flight ticket is uploaded, the system reads the itinerary, books accommodation, arranges airport transport, calculates per diem payments, informs the finance department and alerts the merchandise team about clothing sizes and kit requirements.The platform also monitors flights in real time."If transportation hasn't been assigned before a player lands, the AI automatically contacts the transport provider, updates the information and sends the player a WhatsApp message with the driver's details, baggage belt information and hotel address," Nemani explained.Yorka also acts as a personal assistant throughout the tournament. Every morning it sends players and staff an overview of the next 48 hours, including training schedules, commercial appearances, medical appointments and recovery sessions. Automated reminders are sent before each engagement."I used to get constant calls asking about schedules and logistics," Nemani said. "Now those calls have virtually disappeared."Before joining the Orcas, Nemani worked as Head of Innovation at Vertafore, developing technology products for the insurance industry. His appointment as Chief Product Officer reflects the franchise's belief that a cricket team should be managed much like a technology product, with a single person overseeing every aspect of the experience for players, staff, sponsors and supporters.The Orcas ownership group includes several prominent technology entrepreneurs, and the franchise sees AI as an extension of that philosophy rather than simply another operational tool.For the organisation, the biggest benefit has been time.Instead of spending hours coordinating transport or accommodation, staff can focus on building stronger relationships within the squad and with commercial partners.Former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor, who has been associated with the Orcas since the league's inaugural season, offered an example of that approach earlier this year. Despite arriving after a 30-hour journey from Auckland that included a lengthy delay in San Francisco, Taylor spent nearly an hour interacting with sponsors at a match, answering questions and greeting every guest before leaving.Major League Cricket CEO Johnny Grave believes the initiative demonstrates how technology can shape the league's future."The Seattle Orcas have shown what's possible," Grave said. "Their AI agents now run 80% of day-to-day operations — travel, scheduling and logistics — allowing people to focus on culture and performance. With team backers like Satya Nadella and Shantanu Narayen, and league partners such as Cognizant and VTEX, MLC isn't just growing cricket in the United States, it's building one of the most technologically advanced T20 leagues in the world.

"After more than 80,000 lines of code and approximately 1,200 features, Yorka has become an integral part of the Orcas' operations. For Nemani, its success is measured not simply by automation, but by allowing people to spend less time solving logistical problems and more time strengthening the human side of sport.