NEW DELHI: In a pulsating contest at Kingsmead, Durban’s Super Giants (DSG) held their nerve to defeat the Pretoria Capitals (PC) by two runs in SA20’s second league match.
Despite a dazzling 154-run opening partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz (89 off 43) and Will Jacks (64 off 35), PC faltered in chasing DSG’s daunting 210-run target, ending on 207/6 after 20 overs.
PC had the match firmly under control, needing just 56 off the last 47 balls with nine wickets in hand, but key breakthroughs from Noor Ahmad (2/34), Chris Woakes (2/42), and Keshav Maharaj turned the tide in DSG’s favour. With 14 required off the final over, PC’s lower order struggled, handing DSG a memorable win.
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Gurbaz reflected on the heartbreak: “Really happy with the individual performance and the partnership, but disappointed with the result. We had a great start and were in control, but unfortunately, cricket is unpredictable. We hope to come back stronger next match.”
DSG’s spin trio played a crucial role, with captain Maharaj also dismissing the dangerous Liam Livingstone (13).
Wiaan Mulder credited the team’s character and resilience, saying, “I think we’re always in the game to win from 42 runs off 42 balls. I don’t think we ever want to be in that position again. But generally, I think that just shows the character of many players in the DSG team. And yeah, with a leader like Keshav, who kind of encourages you to never give up, special things can happen.”
Earlier, DSG’s Bryce Parsons (47) and Matthew Beetzke (33) gave a solid start before Kane Williamson (60 not out off 40) and Mulder (45 not out off 19) exploded, adding 91 runs in the last six overs to post a mammoth 209/4.
Mulder lauded the team’s mental toughness: “Having someone like Kane, Naveen, Noor—guys who play leagues all over the world—in our team just shows the composure and, I’d say firstly, the understanding of ways to win. Having someone like Woakes come back after his first two overs demonstrates that ‘never-say-die’ attitude, and I think that’s how we’re going to play going forward. Generally, DSG’s mantra has been to find a way to win, especially at home.”
The Capitals will look to regroup as they target their first win of the season, while DSG will take heart from this morale-boosting start to their campaign.
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