Pieter Malan’s fifth half-century of the competition ensured that the Rocks won the CSA T20 Challenge against the Titans in St. George’s Park Cricket Stadium.
Two of the best teams in the CSA T20 Challenge, the Rocks and Titans, locked horns in Gqeberha for the final match of the competition. The Titans had lost only one match on their road to the Finals; losing only to the Warriors at the beginning of the tournament.
On the other hand, the Rocks had an average tournament, losing three matches in the round-robin stage and only just qualified for the semi-finals.
The Rocks won the toss and elected to bat first. Lizaad Williams (2-30 in 4 overs) and Tabraiz Shamsi (3-20 in 4 overs) showed why the Titans have been exceptional with the ball throughout the competition. They claimed five of the six wickets that fell for the Titans.
Pieter Malan (71 off 56 with 2 fours and 5 sixes) continued his good form with his fifth half-century of the competition and led the Rocks to 138-6 in their allotted 20 overs.
In reply, the Titans lost three wickets in the powerplay including their premier batter Quinton de Kock.
At 29-3, Heinrich Klaasen and Sibonelo Makhanya built a partnership that looked to be taking the game away from the Rocks but Siyabonga Mahima (2-22 in 4 overs) struck again and bowled Klaasen out. Hardus Viljoen (2-14 in 3 overs) and Imraan Manack (2-14 in 4 overs) wrapped up the Titans innings and the Rocks won by 16 runs.
