All roads lead to Newlands for SA20 opener as MI Cape Town look to rekindle the winning feeling

MI Cape Town, the reigning Betway SA20 champions, are gearing up to kick off their title defence against the Durban’s Super Giants (DSG) at Newlands on Friday.

Led by captain Rashid Khan, the team aims to replicate their stunning home form from Season 3, where they finished unbeaten across five matches, transforming Newlands into an invincible fortress.

“There was more pressure last year than this year, you know we came at the bottom twice in a row and to come up from that and win the trophy was a big thing for us as a team,” Rashid Khan said.

“I think what we did right was we played collectively as a team and we took the responsibility at certain points of the game.

“Every player is well experienced, and they will adjust themselves with the condition and the position of the team quite quickly.

“Everyone is so professional, they have played so much cricket around the world, and I think it won't be that difficult for them to acclimatise.”

MI Cape Town’s roster is brimming with talent, with the core of last year's championship-winning squad retained, while they have also further boosted the squad with the arrival of West Indies T20 superstar Nicholas Pooran at Newlands. 

“He (Pooran) is going to bring lots of energy to the game,” he said. “We know how dangerous and how good a cricketer he is.

“He is a kind of like a person who comes in smashing lots of sixes you will see. He’s a guy full of energy and entertainment and I am sure he is going to love his time here.”

However, the challenge won’t be easy, as the Super Giants are also armed with a formidable squad.

New captain Aiden Markram brings a winning mentality to the Super Giants after leading Sunrisers Eastern Cape to back-to-back titles in Season 1 and Season 2. 

DSG boasts an array of experienced players, including England’s former T20 World Cup-winning captain Jos Buttler, New Zealand legend Kane Williamson, and explosive South African batter Heinrich Klaasen.

Although West Indian all-rounder Sunil Narine is currently unavailable, the signing of Proteas Test hero Simon Harmer will enhance their spin options alongside Afghanistan’s mystery bowler Noor Ahmad.

“There is a really nice balance in the set-up and we have a nice group of guys… It’s an exciting challenge for us in a competition with many new faces,” Markram expressed. With both teams packed with talent and experience, fans can expect a fantastic display of cricket at Newlands," Markram said.

MI Cape Town: Rashid Khan (captain), Corbin Bosch, Trent Boult, Reeza Hendricks, Karim Janat, Thomas Kaber, Dan Lategan, George Linde, Tristan Luus, Tom Moores, Dane Piedt, Nicholas Pooran, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Jacques Snyman, Rassie van der Dussen, Tiaan van Vuuren.

Durban’s Super Giants: Aiden Markram (captain), Noor Ahmad, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Eathan Bosch, Jos Buttler, Gerald Coetzee, Devon Conway, Tony de Zorzi, Daryn Dupavillon, Dayyaan Galiem, Evan Jones, Heinrich Klaasen, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Sunil Narine, Andile Simelane, Gysbert Wege, David Wiese, Kane Williamson.

Start: 5:30pm; TV: SuperSport 2