Asked to bat first, PC started well and put up a mammoth 226/5 total on the board in their 20 overs. Kusal Mendis (80) and Colin Ingram (41) were the highest run-getters for their team, while Philip Salt (39) also contributed to the team’s total.
On the other hand, Lungi Ngidi scalped two wickets for PR, with Codi Yusuf and Andile Phehlukwayo also picking up a wicket each.
In reply, David Miller-led PR failed miserably in the run chase and managed to score just 169 in 20 overs. Jos Buttler (70) batted well for his team but unfortunately couldn’t get his team through and ended up on the losing side. Meanwhile, James Neesham grabbed three wickets for PC and guided his team to victory. Anrich Nortje also picked up a wicket for PC in the contest.
On the third ball of the 4th over, Nortje delivered a 152 km/hr ripper to dismiss Jason Roy. The 29-year-old pacer bowled a lightening angled-in delivery to Roy which the right-handed batter failed to get his bat onto and was found Leg Before Wicket (LBW) by the on-field umpire Marais Erasmus.
Roy was seen a bit shocked following the sensational delivery by Nortje, while the PC teammates celebrated the dismissal.
Here’s the video:
Notably, this was the last league stage match of the SA20 2023, and PC have finished at the top spot of the points tally with this win. Both PC and PR will once again meet each other in the first semi-final on Wednesday (February 8) to battle for a place in the summit clash.
The other semi-finalists of the maiden tournament include Faf du Plessis-led Joburg Super Kings and Aiden Markram-captained Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
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