KH Winter T20 League final goes pro at Kingsmead

WITH domestic cricket in its offseason, fans in Durban made the most of the opportunity at Kingsmead, where the final day of the KH Winter T20 League was staged last Sunday.

Tiger CC’S clash with AHTP in the B League final was the curtain-raiser.

After winning the toss and batting first, Tiger CC’S Shakir Gangat scored an elegant 66 to help the team to a mammoth total of 196.

In response, AHTP lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for 105.

In the A League final, Islamabad United faced last year’s winners, Smart. The defending champions chose to bat first after winning the toss.

They lost a few early wickets before Garth Chizlet steadied the innings with a lightning-quick half-century off only 28 balls.

Smart then finished with a flurry thanks to some lofty blows from Hollywoodbets Dolphins star, Prenelan Subrayen. He smashed three sixes in a row on his way to 41 off just 16 deliveries, to help his side reach a total of 175.

Islamabad’s run chase got off to a bright start, but a lethal spell of bowling from Yergesh Naidoo blew them away. He claimed four wickets for just 25 runs, and dismantled Islamabad’s top order in the process.

Although Jean Fourie (25) and Zak Paruk (32) tried to salvage some pride at the tail, Islamabad were eventually bowled out for 119 in the 18th over.

Both winning teams walked away with R25000 each.

“The teams really enjoyed playing at an international venue like Kingsmead,” said the tournament director Yameen Godil. “It brought a professional element to the finals.

“The presence of Dolphins and other seasoned cricketers made it a competitive tournament. We have grown a lot over the years. Next season we are looking at including a women’s league,” he said.