Match 17, Port Elizabeth, February 17, 2022, 01:30 PM
Highveld Lions
148/6(20.0ov)
Titans
152/3(18.1ov)
Titans beat Highveld Lions by 7 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Tabraiz Shamsi
Commentry
Right then, That's it from the coverage of this game. But the CSA T20 Challenge does not stop here. There is one more game coming your way, which sees a contest between Warriors and Rocks. The first ball will be bowled at 6 pm IST (12.30 pm GMT). But as you all know, you can join us early for the build-up. Cheers!
Theunis de Bruyn, the skipper of Titans is also the BATTER OF THE MATCH. He says their intensity was a bit low today but they will take the win. Mentions, the guys are doing really well but there is still some room for improvement. Adds, the opposition bowled really well and they had to stay calm in the middle.
Tabraiz Shamsi is the BOWLER OF THE MATCH. He says that he is not sure of how the T20I rankings work but is happy with the way he is bowling. Adds that they are playing well as a unit and every other player is stepping up when needed. Mentions that it has been a collective effort from the whole team.
Stay tuned for presentation...
Highveld Lions' bowlers derailed after the Powerplay and kept losing control of the game gradually. The bowlers were taken to the cleaners in the early half of the Powerplay, but the bowlers pulled their socks up and picked up two wickets in the latter half of the Powerplay. They had restricted the Titans to 36/2 after 6 overs but they could not capitalize on it. The stand between Theunis de Bruyn and Klaasen hurt them a lot and the Lions were put down to bed. Malusi Siboto was the stand out bowler for Highveld Lions.
Titans made a mess of the chase initially but a calm and composed knock by the skipper, Theunis de Bruyn and a handy support by Heinrich Klaasen made sure to get them over the line. Quinton de Kock was on the charge from the word go. But once he fell, Dewald Brevis followed him to the dugout soon. Titans were two wickets down inside the Powerplay. This surely must’ve shaken their ship. But Theunis de Bruyn and Heinrich Klaasen played sensible cricket. They were on top of the bad balls while managing to keep the runs ticking at the same time. They stitched a stand of 106 runs which is also the highest third wicket partnership in this competition.
A captain’s knock by Theunis de Bruyn makes sure to get the Titans over the line. Highveld Lions came looking for quick wickets but once they got those wickets, they could not maintain the pressure on the opposition batters and ended up on the losing side.
In over# 19
4
Malusi Siboto 21/2(3.1)
18.1
4
FOUR! That is it! Sibonelo Makhanya finishes things off in style! Sibonelo Makhanya serves a good-length ball, around off. Sibonelo Makhanya stands tall and whacks it over the bowler's head to bag a boundary. Titans win the match by 7 wickets!
In over# 18
1
1
1
0
1
1
Sisanda Magala 30/0(3)
17.6
1
In the air but yet again it lands safely! A short ball, around off. Sibonelo Makhanya looks to pull but ends up getting a top edge which falls just in front of the long off fielder. A single to end the over.
17.5
1
Full ball, outside off. Theunis de Bruyn drags it towards long on and settles for a single.
17.4
1
A bumper, around off. Sibonelo Makhanya pulls it along the ground towards deep square leg for a run.
17.3
.
Good-length ball, outside off. Sibonelo Makhanya punches it towards the man at extra cover.
17.2
1
Aerial but short of the fielder! A short ball, outside off. Theunis de Bruyn mistimes his pull towards the deep mid-wicket fielder. The batters take a run.
17.1
1
A full ball, on middle. Sibonelo Makhanya flicks it to deep square leg and takes a single.
In over# 17
0
1
0W
4
1
1
Malusi Siboto 17/2(3)
16.6
.
Full ball, outside off. Theunis de Bruyn plays a square drive but finds the backward point fielder. 6 runs needed now from 18 balls.
16.5
1
Good-length ball, on middle. Sibonelo Makhanya works it towards long on and takes a single.