Punjab Newsline,Sports:
Nicholas Pooran’s explosive cameo powers MI Cape Town to a crucial victory in a rain-hit match
MI Cape Town finally opened their account in the SA20 league with a thrilling four-wicket win over Joburg Super Kings on Tuesday at Newlands. The rain-affected encounter was decided under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, with MI Cape Town producing a composed performance to secure their first victory of the tournament.
Persistent rain reduced the contest to a 12-overs-a-side match, adding urgency and intensity to both innings. After being asked to bat first, Joburg Super Kings put up a competitive total of 123 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 12 overs. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, their middle-order batters showed resilience to push the score to a challenging level on a tricky surface.
MI Cape Town’s bowlers kept things tight throughout the innings, preventing the Super Kings from accelerating freely. Disciplined bowling and smart field placements ensured that Joburg Super Kings could not capitalize fully in the death overs, a factor that later proved crucial in the outcome of the match.
Following a brief rain interruption before the second innings, MI Cape Town were set a revised target of 124 runs under the DLS method. Chasing the total in a shortened game was never going to be easy, but the Cape Town batters approached the task with a balanced mix of caution and aggression.
The turning point of the match came with the arrival of West Indies power-hitter Nicholas Pooran at the crease. Pooran unleashed a blistering knock, scoring 33 runs off just 15 deliveries. His innings was highlighted by six towering sixes, which completely shifted the momentum in MI Cape Town’s favour. Pooran’s fearless approach put the Joburg Super Kings bowlers under immense pressure and significantly boosted the run rate during the crucial middle overs.
Although MI Cape Town lost a few wickets while chasing the target, the batters maintained their composure and kept the scoreboard ticking. The pressure mounted in the final overs, but the team held its nerve to reach the revised target of 124 runs in 11.2 overs, losing six wickets in the process. MI Cape Town completed the chase with four balls to spare, sealing a much-needed victory.
This win is expected to give MI Cape Town a major confidence boost as the tournament progresses, especially after a challenging start to their campaign. Nicholas Pooran’s explosive cameo stood out as the defining moment of the match and played a key role in the team’s success.
For Joburg Super Kings, the loss was disappointing, but their fighting effort ensured the contest remained competitive until the final moments. Overall, the rain-curtailed match delivered high-intensity cricket, dramatic momentum shifts, and a memorable performance that marked MI Cape Town’s first triumph in the SA20 season.