MI Cape Town will resist any temptation to curtail their attacking instincts as they approach the business end of the SA20. The Newlands-based franchise have been a revelation in Season 3, brushing off the debris of two disappointing seasons, to finish top of the log with a record 35 points.
𝑾𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 🫶
— MI Cape Town (@MICapeTown) February 3, 2025
Until next time, Newlands! 💙#MICapeTown #OneFamily pic.twitter.com/ZIfEvF0USP
“I think, you know, in the last couple of years we played good cricket, but it was just about that we haven't finished well,” MI Cape Town captain Rashid Khan said, ahead of Qualifier 1 against Paarl Royals at St George’s Park on Tuesday.
“You know, we haven't hit those points where it was a matter of going to the result. We were not finishing that well and that's where we were losing the game. And I feel like this year we have done that well.
“As a team, we’ve played really well. It's not about a couple of guys performing with the ball or with the bat.
“Overall, it's been a team effort. Whoever got the opportunity, they have contributed for the team. Everyone has been contributing with the ball and bat as well. So, I feel like this year, this is a massive difference.
“All of them are contributing. Everyone is in form and the biggest thing is what we're enjoying. You know, we're having fun and we're not thinking much about what the result will be.”
MI Cape Town certainly showed off their reservoir of talent in the final league encounter when despite making six changes to their line-up, they still managed to smash the Pretoria Capitals by 95 runs.
Performances that fueled last night’s victory against PC 🔥#MICapeTown #OneFamily #MICTvPC pic.twitter.com/sTog5pttap
— MI Cape Town (@MICapeTown) February 3, 2025
In contrast, the Royals have gone off the boil since becoming the first team to qualify for the playoffs by losing their last two matches to Joburg Super Kings and Sunrisers Eastern Cape respectively.
Equally, MI Cape Town have the added advantage of having tasted success in Gqeberha already this season when they defeated Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the competition opener, while few people know the intricacies of playing at St George’s Park as head coach Robin Peterson.
“Well, you know, win always gives you the confidence as a team you need and as a player you need,” Rashid said. “And definitely that gives us confidence for sure. But at the same time, it's a qualifier. It's a big game and you have to play good, good cricket.
“One thing I have noticed here is that the condition of the wickets changes everywhere.
“You have to face different conditions, different wickets. And you have to know how to play in that condition. But the good thing about this team is we have the players who give us the best information.
“And especially the coach, you know, he gives us very good information from there. So, we have that kind of conversation as a team with him. He has been there for long.”
Rashid also expressed that after a difficult maiden season leading MI Cape Town, he has returned to SA20 with much greater insight this year after his experiences with the Afghanistan national team. The leg-spinner led Afghanistan to theT20 World Cup semi-finals last year in the Caribbean.
“To be honest, first year when I came, I wasn't quite familiar with most of the players and it was a little bit harder for me. And later on, you know, we got to know each other very well,” Rashid said.
“And that's, as a captain, I understood, you know, where we're to have the kind of conversation with the players, which player is more easy and flexible. I can be flexible with everything. And I think, you know, this year when I came, we had a chat with Robbie.
“I said I want to lead it like how I lead Afghanistan and that's something which Robbie told me as well. ‘You have to lead it the way you are leading Afghanistan cricket team in T20 World Cup ‘
“I now know the players very well, spent time with them in the first years, and know each other very well and understood.
“And I had quite a good knowledge about which bowlers to use where, who is going to be more effective at what point. But I cannot, like, you know, tell the bowlers where to bowl and how to bowl. They're more skilful.
“They have played lots of cricket and that's their job to do. But for me is to give them the best, you know, and to support and to be there if anything is needed.”