SA20: Durban Super Giants beat Pretoria Capitals by 2 runs in final ball thriller

SA20: After a terrific bowling performance in the opener, the second match in SA20 turned out to be a final-ball thriller. Durban Super Giants beat Pretoria Capitals in a match that saw an aggregate of 416 runs.

In Short

• SA20 has started with two top notch games
• Durban Super Giants beat Pretoria Capitals by just 2 runs
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz won the player of the match award

After a terrific bowling performance in the opener of the SA20, the fans were in for some batting fireworks in the second game of the season. Playing at Kingsmead, Durban Super Giants and Pretoria Capitals produced a high-scoring final-ball thriller on Friday, January 10.

Durban Super Giants held their nerve in a dramatic last-ball finish to defeat Pretoria Capitals by just two runs in an electrifying SA20 encounter at Kingsmead on Friday. Despite a blistering 89 from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and a strong 154-run opening stand with Will Jacks, the Capitals fell agonizingly short of DSG's 209/4, finishing their chase at 207/6.

SA20: MI beat SunRisers in opener

Pretoria's chase got off to a flying start as Gurbaz and Jacks dominated the DSG bowlers, putting together a scorching 154-run opening partnership. Gurbaz was the standout, smashing 89 off just 43 balls, including seven sixes. Jacks also played a key role with a quickfire 64 off 35 balls. The pair set the perfect platform for the Capitals, needing 56 runs off the final 47 balls with nine wickets still in hand.

However, the game took a dramatic turn in the 13th over when DSG spinner Noor Ahmad dismissed Gurbaz, breaking the partnership. The next over saw Chris Woakes dismiss Pretoria’s skipper, Rilee Rossouw, for just 1. Noor (2 for 34) and Woakes (2 for 42) continued to build the pressure, removing Jacks and Senuran Muthusamy (8) in quick succession, reducing the Capitals to 183 for 4 in the 15.5 over.

Liam Livingstone, who was the Capitals’ best hope, still had a chance to take his side home with 27 runs required from 25 balls and six wickets in hand. But a pivotal moment arrived when DSG captain Keshav Maharaj, the experienced spinner, removed Livingstone for 13. The pressure mounted further as Naveen-ul-Haq dismissed James Neesham for just 3, bringing the chase to a tense standstill.

In the final over, the Capitals needed 14 runs to win. Despite a valiant effort, they could only manage a solitary four from the last six balls, falling short by just two runs.

Earlier in the day, after winning the toss and opting to bat, Durban Super Giants got off to a solid start, with openers Bryce Parsons (47) and Matthew Beetzke (33) putting on a partnership of 67 runs. Despite Quinton de Kock (15) and Heinrich Klaasen (0) falling cheaply, former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson anchored the innings with a steady 60* off 40 balls.

All-rounder Wiaan Mulder (45* off 19 balls) provided crucial late acceleration, adding a rapid 91-run partnership with Williamson in just 6.3 overs to propel DSG’s total to 209/4. Pretoria’s Senuran Muthusamy bowled a smart spell, picking up 3 for 21, but was unable to prevent the Super Giants from posting a daunting total.

In the end, it was a thrilling finish that saw DSG edge the Capitals by a narrow margin, with their bowlers holding their nerve under immense pressure.