Abdullah Dhudhat hammers Knockouts to T20 victory
The field was lined with cars and spectators, creating an awesome atmosphere on the day.
The Southern KwaZulu-Natal domestic T20 cricket season ended with a bang as tensions, disappointments and huge celebrations were on show recently.
In the morning games, the two semi-finals were, at stages, on a knife’s edge.
Hibiscus Ballies, which ironically included a number of youngsters, beat EMA Suidies Vikings by 14 runs, with run outs costing the Vikings in their chase.
Knockouts CC eased past Aces with a seven wicket win, with Aces letting themselves down in the field, dropping too many catches.
In the final it wasn’t mistakes that decided the winner between Knockouts CC and Hibiscus Ballies but rather the outstanding performance of Abdullah Dhudhat.
He excited the crowd with an innings of 156 not out off 70 balls, including 11 sixes.
The innings ended in the most unlikely of scenarios, with Ryan Trollip almost getting a hattrick – first an LBW, then a brilliant catch on the cover boundary by Dale Potgieter, and then a spilled chance at Cow Shed Corner off the last ball.
Knockouts CC defended their title with the Ballies only able to manage 65.
Ashraf Mulla, captain of Knockouts, congratulated the Ballies for making the final with so many youngsters in their team and praised his side for their spirit.
The T20 league was a resounding success, with 13 teams participating over three months and over 60 games of cricket being played during that period.
Man of the match trophies were a nice touch, and having umpires at all games was a massive improvement, thanks in no small way to the leadership of Sivy Kalkapersad.
The players will return in January for the start of the T35 League and, with new applications being received for more clubs to join, it shows cricket is alive and well on the South Coast.
RESULTS
Semi-finals:
Aces 91/8 (Meshan Lanka 25, Ashraf Mulla 3wkts, Raja Kazi 3wkts) lost to Knockouts 92/3 (Ashraf Mulla 31, Abdullah Dhudhat 22, Talha 24). Man of the Match – Ashraf Mulla.
Hibiscus Ballies 93/6 (Dale Potgieter 20, Jordan Higgins 31, Marthinus Fritz 2 wkts, Hans van Eerden 2wkts) beat EMA Suidies Vikings 79/10 (Jared Myburg 23, Anton Potgieter 3 wkts, Niko Potgieter 2 wkts, Dale Potgieter 2 wkts, Liam Scholtz 2wkts). Man of the Match – Jordan Higgins.
Final:
Knockouts 255/5 (Abdullah Dhudhat 156, Ashraf Mulla 25, Raja Kazi 24, Dale Potgieter 2 wkts) beat Hibiscus Ballies 65/9 (Raja Kazi 2 wkts, Faizel 3 wkts ). Man of the Match – Abdullah Dhudhat.
Coming up on Sunday, November 27:
50 Over KZN Challenge League – Southern KZN vs Verulam at Port Shepstone Country Club, 09:00.
Harry Gwala District 50 Over – PSCC Titans vs Bombay at Kokstad, 09:00.
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