128/6 (11.2)
CR : 11.29
123/7 (12.0)
CR : 10.25
MI Cape Town won by 4 wickets (DLS METHOD) 🏆
Player of the Match
Nicholas Pooran
33(15)
Faf du Plessis (Joburg Super Kings Captain): "The frustrating thing for me is that, Duckworth- Lewis in T20 cricket is still a little bit of a mismatch, missing 8 overs of the game and only getting 6 runs. It feels like it is build for One-day cricket and the longer format of the game. So I feel like if you are batting first you should get much more than 6 runs. So, after playing the first 6 ivers and going back, it was a little tough to come back and hit boundaries after the long break. As you can see, we have cloudy conditions here, so it was difficult for the boys to catch. I think there were one or two chances and also I feel if you have a shortened game, you should restrict the batting order. 12 overs taking a crack with the entire batting order but credit to them, they batted nicely. I don't have an answer. So I don't think whether there is a right and a wrong. I just feel like there is a metric which isn't being considered.
(On Richard Gleeson having an off day) You got to look at T20 cricket sometimes, you are gonna go. The ball was sliding on nicely with the wet outfield towards the back side. It makes your execution that much more important. So, we were slightly off in terms of our execution. But, the boys have been great. Also, that one good game readers do, someone like a Nicky P,. He comes in, hits the ball really well and puts the pressure back on the bowlers and it is how well you respond."
(On Richard Gleeson having an off day) You got to look at T20 cricket sometimes, you are gonna go. The ball was sliding on nicely with the wet outfield towards the back side. It makes your execution that much more important. So, we were slightly off in terms of our execution. But, the boys have been great. Also, that one good game readers do, someone like a Nicky P,. He comes in, hits the ball really well and puts the pressure back on the bowlers and it is how well you respond."
Time for post-match presentations...
Raining Sixes Award: Nicholas Pooran
Game Changer Award: Nandre Burger
Match Saver Award: Corbin Bosch
Dispatch of the Day: Nicholas Pooran
Rashid Khan (MICT Captain): "Brilliant effort from everyone. After the first powerplay in the first innings, the way we came back and just gave around 50 runs in the next six was amazing.
(On Nicholas Pooran) He is famous for hitting sixes. That's what we were expecting from him. The kind of blasting innings he played in the middle. While chasing 120-odd in 12 overs, you need someone like him in the middle who can play an innings with a strike rate of around 250-300.
(On first win of the season) I think it was a long wait for us to register our first victory of the season. The last win we had was in the final of last year's competition. It's good for us. It will give us the momentum and energy for the remaining games. We will take one game at a time and let's see how it goes."
(On Nicholas Pooran) He is famous for hitting sixes. That's what we were expecting from him. The kind of blasting innings he played in the middle. While chasing 120-odd in 12 overs, you need someone like him in the middle who can play an innings with a strike rate of around 250-300.
(On first win of the season) I think it was a long wait for us to register our first victory of the season. The last win we had was in the final of last year's competition. It's good for us. It will give us the momentum and energy for the remaining games. We will take one game at a time and let's see how it goes."
Player of the Match: Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran (Player of the Match): "(Crowd effect) The crowd has been fantastic. Not only tonight but throughout the campaign for us. Not the ideal start from us but we are really happy to get some points for the crowd today.
(Pressure of expectations) I don't feel pressure. I feel you are under pressure only when you don't know what to do. I have been doing this for the last 10 years and I am confident about walking and smashing sixes. Glad to get 4 points today.
(Team environment) It's a great team to be part of. Champions last year. Obviously, we did not get off to a great start but better late than never. It is never over in T20 cricket. Especially for this franchise. We have some quality talk in the room. It is all about being selfless and taking the fight to the others. We need to be prepared that other teams will come hard and play good cricket. We need to show character as a team and fight. This is a big tournament. Hopefully, we can build some momentum from here."
(Pressure of expectations) I don't feel pressure. I feel you are under pressure only when you don't know what to do. I have been doing this for the last 10 years and I am confident about walking and smashing sixes. Glad to get 4 points today.
(Team environment) It's a great team to be part of. Champions last year. Obviously, we did not get off to a great start but better late than never. It is never over in T20 cricket. Especially for this franchise. We have some quality talk in the room. It is all about being selfless and taking the fight to the others. We need to be prepared that other teams will come hard and play good cricket. We need to show character as a team and fight. This is a big tournament. Hopefully, we can build some momentum from here."
That's it from our side. Game number 15, two heavyweight teams, MI Cape Town and Joburg Super Kings locking horns at the iconic Newlands Cricket Stadium, Cape Town. MI Cape Town has won the match by 4 wickets (DLS) in a rain affected fixture, getting their first win of the season, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Joburg Super Kings, on the other hand, have finally lost their first in the season, but look good for a top 2 finish. This is Utsav Chandak, signing off on behalf of Manan Mehta, Mohammad Anab and Yogesh Kumar. Stay tuned with the Crickxo app, for all cricket updates.