Noor Ahmad’s incredible bowling performance went in vain as Durban’s Super Giants lost to Sunrisers Eastern Cape by 58 runs in their fourth SA20 2025 clash at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban on Friday, January 18.
After the Sunrisers opted to bat first, the Super Giants rode on their star spinner Noor Ahmad’s four-wicket haul to restrict the visitors to 165/5 in their 20 overs. In reply, DSG batters found the wicket extremely challenging as they were bowled out for 107 in 18.1 overs.
Naveen strikes first ball
DSG pacer Naveen-ul-Haq provided an early breakthrough as he ended the Sunrisers’ 27-run opening stand between David Bedingham and Zak Crawley in the third over. The Afghanistan fast bowler dismissed opener Bedingham (10) in his very first ball of the game.
Noor’s magical spell in middle overs
After Bedingham’s dismissal, Zak Crawley and Tom Abell added 48 runs for the second wicket before left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad cleaned up Crawley (38) with a peach of a delivery in the 10th over. In the very next ball, Afghanistan’s spin wizard continued his magic as he trapped opposition captain Aiden Markram (0) in front of the stumps. Noor later bamboozled Jordan Hermann (6) in the 12th over to put the hosts in a great position.
DSG restrict SEC to 165/5
With the visitors struggling at 87/4, Marco Jansen joined Tom Abell at the crease. The duo forged a 54-run stand before Noor removed Abell (57) in the 18th over of the match. Meanwhile, the Super Giants restricted the Sunrisers to 165/5 in their allotted overs. Noor was the wrecker-in-chief for DSG as he finished with impressive figures of 4/25 in his quota of four overs.
Hosts off to a decent start
Chasing a target of 166, openers Matthew Breetzke and Bryce Parsons got the Super Giants off to a reasonable start. Breetzke and Parsons forged a 40-run opening partnership before the latter departed after an unfortunate run-out.
Super Giants suffer triple blows
While DSG’s batting maestro Kane Williamson came in to bat at No.3, the former New Zealand captain soon fell to Liam Dawson in the eighth over. The hosts then succumbed to massive blows as Breetzke (21) and Heinrich Klaasen (1) departed in quick succession.
Mulder, de Kock stitch crucial partnership
Reeling at 54/4, Wiaan Mulder joined wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock at the crease. The swashbucking duo played some scintillating shots which kept the Super Giants in the hunt. Mulder and de Kock stitched a 40-run stand for the fifth wicket partnership before de Kock fell to Ottneil Baartman in the 15th over.
Tough night in Durban
Following the dismissal of de Kock, DSG lost wickets at regular intervals as they were bowled out for 107 in 18.1 overs.
What next for the Super Giants?
DSG will look to return to winning ways when they square off against Sunrisers Eastern Cape at the St George's Park in Gqeberha on Sunday, January 19.
Brief Scores: Sunrisers Eastern Cape 165/5 in 20 overs (Tom Abell 57; Noor Ahmad 4/25) beat Durban’s Super Giants 107/10 in 18.1 overs (Bryce Parsons 23, Richard Gleeson 2/12) by 58 runs.
