Super giants vs Capitals
In a game that had fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball, Durban's Super Giants pulled off a dramatic 2-run win over the Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 2025 season opener at Kingsmead. This wasn't just a match—it was a reminder of why T20 cricket is such an unpredictable rollercoaster.
Batting first, the Super Giants put up a strong total of 209/4. Kane Williamson was classic Kane—calm, calculated, and unbeaten with 60 off 40 deliveries. Bryce Parsons chipped in with a fiery 47 from 28 balls, making sure the scoreboard kept ticking. Pretoria's Senuran Muthusamy did his best to rein things in with a solid 3/21, but the damage was done.
The Capitals came out swinging. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Will Jacks lit up the Kingsmead with an explosive opening stand of 154 runs. Gurbaz smashed 89 off just 43 balls, while Jacks added a quick 64 off 35. At that point, the chase looked like a formality.
But cricket has a funny way of flipping scripts.
Once Gurbaz and Jacks fell, the momentum shifted. The Super Giants' bowlers tightened the screws, the fielding stepped up, and suddenly, the Capitals were scrambling. Despite a late push from Kyle Verreynne, who remained unbeaten on 10, and a tense last over, they finished just short at 207/6.
Needing 11 off the last six balls, it all came down to Naveen-ul-Haq. Under pressure, he kept his nerve and gave away just 8 runs, sealing a heart-pounding win for Durban. That final over had everything—pressure, panic, and a whole lot of drama.
Even in defeat, Rahmanullah Gurbaz walked away with the Player of the Match title. His explosive innings was the backbone of Pretoria's chase and made the contest unforgettable.
Durban captain Keshav Maharaj was full of praise for his team's grit. 'Kingsmead is never dull. Wickets can fall in clumps, and I'm proud of the way the boys held their nerve,' he said.
On the other side, Pretoria's skipper Rilee Rossouw was understandably gutted. 'We had the game in our hands… just couldn't finish it off,' he admitted.
If this game is anything to go by, the SA20 season is going to be one wild ride. The Super Giants may have walked away with the points, but both teams gave fans a match to remember. And that's what it's all about.
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