South Africa is buzzing with the glitz and glamour of cricket as their premier domestic T20 tournament is back with its second edition. After a successful first edition, the second edition is back with even more zeal among cricket fans.
In contrast to the first match between Joburg Super Kings and Sunrisers Eastern Cape which got abandoned without even a single ball being bowled, the 2nd match between Durban Super Giants (DSG) and MI Cape Town (MICT) proved to be a thrilling encounter where DSG beat MICT by 11 runs according to DLS method.
After winning the toss, DSG’s captain invited MICT to bat first on a beautiful batting wicket. Making most of the opportunity, MICT openers got off to a flying start and provided a staggering 87-run stand.
Even after losing, two wickets in quick succession the run rate didn’t drop, courtesy of some powerful hitting by Ryan Rickelton who played a sensational innings of 87 runs in just 51 balls. Along with Rickelton’s powerful hitting, there were some useful contributions from Liam Livingstone and Kieron Pollard which took MICT’s score to 207 runs. Keemo Paul turned out to be the pick of the bowlers by getting the better of both the openers.
Durban Super Giant’s feisty response
In response to a big target of 208 runs, DSG were off to a shaky start as they lost 2 wickets for just 12 runs including the big wicket of Quinton de Kock who got out cheaply off Sam Curran. But despite a rocky, DSG kept going on maintaining a healthy run rate until Heinrich Klaasen unleashed himself onto the MICT’s bowlers.
Klaasen played a spectacular innings of 85 runs off just 35 balls hitting four boundaries and double the sixes which turned the match on its head. But as things were looking easy for DSG, Klaasen got out to a full toss by Kagiso Rabada. Just when things were match was closing to a nail-biting finish DSG requiring 31 runs off just 21 balls, rain played a spoilsport.
Unfortunately, no further match could take place and DSG won by 11 runs. Fans expressed their amazement at Klaseen’s power hitting on X formerly Twitter. Here are some of the tweets:
💙 Durban Supergiants Have Won the Match VS MI Capetown.
— AJ (@AJ_0755) January 11, 2024
(Due to the DLS Method)
It was Heinrich Klassen who made it possible for DSG.
They are the table toppers of the SA20 League now.#SA20 #DSGvMICT #MICapeTown pic.twitter.com/jqWAEMoFXW
You carried the team Klaassen #DSGvMICT pic.twitter.com/y0QqxEYExR
— Valencia M Seshoene (@VeighMo) January 11, 2024
Mood swings courtesy #DSGvMICT 🥶🥵 pic.twitter.com/5qDCHqMy2w
— MI Cape Town (@MICapeTown) January 11, 2024
WHAT A KNOCK, HENRICH KLAASEN....!!!!
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 11, 2024
An iconic innings in SA20 league, Durban was down & out in the chase then a one man show from Klaasen, smashed 85 runs from just 35 balls against MI Capetown - The beast. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AklROoddtN
It was the Klaasen & Rickelton show tonight 🔥🙌#SA20 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/qzVso9rFvu
— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) January 11, 2024
There aren’t many things in this sport that can compete with the ball flying off the bat in South Africa under lights, it’s art. And so is Klaasen’s hitting. Both can take SA20 to great heights
— Dave (@CricketDave27) January 11, 2024