TimesofIndia.com in Gqeberha:MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals both had flawless campaigns at home in the league stage of the SA20. Five games, five wins. Both teams came to Newlands and Boland Park, and went back without adding any points to their tally. In the SA20, where bonus points also come into play, MI Cape Town pocketed 24 points at home and 11 when on the road. For the Paarl Royals, that stood at 20 and 8. Such was their home dominance that they would have qualified for the playoffs based on their home showing alone.
But in the knockout stage, starting with the first qualifier, they would play at a neutral venue – St George’s Park in Gqeberha – on Tuesday. If results from the league stage were to be used as reference, MI Cape Town hold the edge. The Rashid Khan-led side have been the best travellers this season (11 points) including a win at this very ground against Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
All that, though, becomes moot, admits Rashid, when Qualifier 1 rolls in. “A win always gives you the confidence you need as a team and as a player. But at the same time, it’s a Qualifier. It’s a big game and you have to play good cricket,” he said in response to a query by TimesofIndia.com.
“We’ve had great last four-five games. You know, we’re playing amazing cricket as a team. And I feel like that also gives us that positive energy and morale in the team where we have that positive mindset to go for that game. And it’s an advantage to have a win here at the beginning of the season. So, I feel we think about that a lot to play good cricket and see how it goes,” he said on the eve of the clash against the David Miller-led Paarl Royals.
Miller acknowledged the Cape Town team’s dominance while also seeing it as an opportunity to build some momentum of their own.
“MI seem to be on fire. They have a lot of match-winners in their team, but at the same time, it’s a great opportunity for us to knock them off. T20 is about seizing the moment and it takes one or two guys to stand up and take it to the opposition. Also, whoever loses gets another semi-final [Eliminator], so that’s a good thing,” said Miller.
In the Royals camp, there is good news and there is one challenge. Miller confirmed he was fit after picking up a groin injury more than a week ago. It resulted in him missing two games for the franchise with question marks also being raised over his availability for the Champions Trophy in two weeks time.
“I am feeling good. I took a week off. I have done a fitness test and it seems to be going well. Let’s see how we pull up tomorrow morning,” he said.
The challenge, meanwhile, comes in the form of Joe Root’s absence. The England batter has travelled to India for the three-match ODI series followed by the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and UAE.
Root and Lhuan-dre Pretorius formed a lethal batting combination at the top of the order for the Royals. Root contributed 279 runs from eight matches at an average of 55.8 and strike rate of 140.2. The exceptional striking, coupled by England’s troubles against spin in the T20Is in India, saw R Ashwin suggest the veteran be brought into the shortest format for the national side.
“It’s not possible to replace a player of that calibre but I really believe that we have got a squad that is very adaptable and the guys coming in are super positive and skilful as well. In a few games, Root did not do well and other players pulled up in those particular games,” he said. “So, it’s not a problem for us. The guys are geared up,” he added.
MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals in the SA20 league stage:
13 January – MI Cape Town won by 33 runs
15 January – Paarl Royals won by 6 wickets
When is MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals in the SA20 Qualifier 1?
SA20 Qualifier 1 between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals will be played on February 4 (Tuesday).
What time is MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals in the SA20 Qualifier 1?
SA20 Qualifier 1 between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals will be played at 5:30pm local time (9pm IST).
Where will MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals in the SA20 Qualifier 1 be played?
SA20 Qualifier 1 between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals will be played at St George’s Park (Gqeberha).
How to watch MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals in the SA20 Qualifier 1?
SA20 Qualifier 1 between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals will be available on Star Sports 2, Sports18 2 channels on TV. It will also be live streamed on Disney+ Hotstar app and website.
