Twitter Reactions: Durban Super Giants stamp authority in clash of table toppers

Heinrich-Klaasen. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Table toppers Durban Super Giants and Paarl Royals locked horns on Sunday, January 28, in a crucial SA20 2024 clash at Kingsmead, Durban. Fans would have expected a close encounter between two sides who have played some fantastic cricket during the competition. However, it turned out to be a one-sided affair, as the Super Giants outclassed their opponents by 125 runs to remain on top of the points table with six wins and two losses from eight games.

Keshav Maharaj won the toss and opted to bat first once again. They lost three wickets inside the PowerPlay, including the talismanic Quinton de Kock. However, a 102-run partnership of 102 runs from 65 balls between Matthew Breetzke (78 off 43 balls) and Marcus Stoinis (38 off 36 balls) helped Durban to get to a position of strength. However, both batters got out in the 17th over and the batting side needed someone to put their hand up and help them finish strongly.

The in-form Heinrich Klaasen came out to bat at No. 6 and played a scintillating innings of 50 from 17 balls, hitting two fours and six sixes. Klaasen’s blitzkrieg helped Durban get past the 200-run mark and set a stiff target of 209 for the Royals. Tabraiz Shamsi was the only Royals bowler who performed well in the Durban innings. The experienced spinner finished with excellent figures of 2/20 in his four overs.

Like in the first innings, the second innings saw the batting side lose three wickets. However, there was no heroic fourth-wicket partnership to bail Paarl out of trouble. From 51/3, the visitors were bowled out for 83. Noor Ahmad was the wrecker-in-chief, finishing with mind-boggling figures of 5/11 in 3.2 overs. Maharaj also bagged a couple of wickets, while Reece Topley, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Stoinis chipped in with one wicket each.

After beating Paarl by 57 runs at Boland Park on Friday, Durban completed the double with their 125-run win at home. They will now face Pretoria Capitals on Tuesday, January 30. On the other hand, Paarl will look to return to winning ways when they take on Sunrisers Eastern Cape on Friday, February 2, at home.

Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Durban’s complete performance: