Twin fifties from Heinrich Klaasen and Kane Williamson were not enough to secure a victory for Durban’s Super Giants as they suffered a seven-wicket defeat against MI Cape Town in the ongoing SA20 at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town on Saturday, January 25.
Put in to bat, the Super Giants rode on Klaasen’s 66 off 43 balls and Williamson’s unbeaten 44-ball 56 to post 149/6 in their allotted overs. Later, DSG bowlers pushed the hosts till the very end, but eventually lost the game in Cape Town.
Challenging start for the batters
The Super Giants were off to a disappointing start as opener Brandon King departed in the second over while in-form Quinton de Kock was also dismissed cheaply in the following over. Kane Williamson and Matthew Breetzke later added 12 runs for the third wicket before DSG suffered massive blows as Breetzke and Marcus Stoinis fell to Rashid Khan in back-to-back deliveries.
Williamson, Klaasen steady innings
Struggling at 22/4, Heinrich Klaasen joined Williamson in the middle. Klaasen and Williamson initially took their time and played sensibly to stitch a crucial partnership. While Williamson played the anchor role, Klaasen attacked the opposition bowlers as he looked in great touch at the Newlands.
Twin fifties power DSG to 149/6
Klaasen and Williamson continued their impressive partnership which brought the Super Giants back into the game. Klaasen later notched up his fifty off just 36 balls in the 17th over. At the other end, Williamson also completed his milestone as he brought up his second fifty in the ongoing SA20. The Kiwi batter’s half-century was laced with five fours and two sixes. While Corbin Bosch later dismissed Klaasen to end their incredible 121-run stand, Williamson remained unbeaten on 56 to help DSG post 149/6 in their 20 overs.
Maharaj provides much-needed breakthrough
Defending 149, DSG bowlers were off to a challenging start as wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen added 75 runs for the opening wicket. Later in the ninth over of the chase, captain Keshav Maharaj led from the front as he bagged the crucial wicket of van der Dussen to end the opening stand.
Dala, Ahmad bag crucial wickets
Meanwhile, Junior Dala continued his brilliant form for DSG as he dismissed Rickelton in the 11th over. The right-arm pacer removed the MI Cape Town opener for 63. Star left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad soon joined the party as he got the better of his compatriot Sediqullah Atal to bring the visitors back into the game.
Disappointing result in Cape Town
Following Sediqullah Atal’s dismissal, the Super Giants’ bowlers tried their level best to claim more wickets, however, Dewald Brevis and George Linde later forged an unbeaten 35-run stand to guide MI Cape Town to a seven-wicket win at home.
What next for the Super Giants?
The Super Giants will look to return to winning ways against Paarl Royals in their penultimate SA20 2025 league match at the Boland Park in Paarl on Monday, January 27.
Brief Scores: Durban’s Super Giants 149/6 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 66; Rashid Khan 2/34) lost to MI Cape Town 154/3 in 14.5 overs (Ryan Rickelton 63, Keshav Maharaj 1/23) by 7 wickets.
