(CMC) – West Indies all-rounder Keemo Paul played a key role at the back end of a tricky run chase as Durban Super Giants beat MI Cape Town by five wickets in a battle of the bottom-placed teams in the SA20 yesterday.
In pursuit of 166 at Kingsmead, Super Giants overhauled their target with a ball to spare, captain Quinton de Kock top-scoring with 63 from 41 deliveries and Matthew Breetzke hitting a steadying, unbeaten 48 from 39 balls.
When de Kock fell in the 12th over with the run chase still in need of further impetus, Paul stepped up to clobber four fours and a six in an 18-ball 31, to rally the innings.
Sent in earlier, MI Cape Town gathered 165 for five from their 20 overs courtesy of Rassie van der Dussen’s 43 from 32 deliveries, while Tim David (33) and Delano Potgieter (32 not out) chimed in with effective knocks late on.
The innings was going nowhere at 50 for three in the eighth over before van der Dussen, who struck five fours and a six and David, who counted three sixes in a 26-ball knock, put on 55 for the fourth wicket.
When they fell in successive overs at 115 for five in the 16th over, Potgieter belted two fours and three sixes in a 17-ball cameo, to inspire a crucial unbroken 50-run, sixth wicket partnership with West Indies fast bowler Odean Smith who lashed two fours and a six in scoring 17 not out from 10 balls.
De Kock then gave Super Giants the start they needed, pummeling seven fours and three sixes while dominating a 33-run first wicket stand with Ben McDermott (5) and then adding a further 65 for the second wicket with Breetzke who notched five fours and a six.
Paul provided the late momentum with his hitting, putting on 48 for the third wicket with Breetzke.