South Africa T20 League

1st Match: MICT vs PR

Preview

MICT and PR will lock horns for the first match of the newest league in the cricketing world i.e. “The South Africa T20 League”. The iconic Newlands stadium in Cape Down will host the game. The inaugural match will kick off at 9:00 PM on Tuesday, 10th January 2022. The two teams are bought by the Indian T20 League franchises Mumbai and Rajasthan. Both of these teams are considered to be one of the bests in this tournament and have some exceptionally talented players from across the world. 

The Cape Town franchise will be led by the Afghan Magical spinner, Rashid Khan who has some amazing all-round cricketing skills and the team consists of some world-class players like Dewald Brevis, Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada ad Jofra Archer. On the other hand, the Paarl side has nominated the South African star batter David Miller for the main role and has an explosive batting side including Eoin Morgan, Jason Roy and Jos Buttler.

Although PR has an excellent batting line-up, MICT has more of a balanced all-round side with loads of experience which makes them the favourite to win this match. Another massive advantage for the Cape Town side is that their bowling side includes experts like Kagiso Rabada, Jofra Archer, Rashid Khan, and Sam Curran. Their batting will be sacrificed a bit but still consists of some quality domestic players. Ryan Rickelton and Grant Roelefson are expected to be the openers for the side. The middle order has star players including international talents like Rassie Van der Dussen, Liam Livingstone and Dewald Brevis. Odean Smith and Sam Curran are the 2 overseas all-rounders present on their side. MICT has a batting line-up till No.11 with bowlers who have a six-hitting capability as Duan Jansen and Kagiso Rabada batting at No.10 and No.11.

On the contrary, the Paarl side lacks expertise in bowling but has a power-packed batting line-up. PR will miss the services of Obed McCoy who was one of the best overseas signings for them but unfortunately, the left-arm spinner misses the game due to injury. Also, Buttler will not be available for the entire league season and PR will definitely try to make the most of his presence. The English batting duo, Eoin Morgan and Jason Roy are not in their best forms but should get accustomed to the conditions in South Africa. Lungi Ngidi along with Corbin Bosch will lead the pace attack for the Paarls. Tabraiz Shamsi and Bjorn Fortuin will be the spin duo. Skipper David Miller and Eoin Morgan will power the middle order. Jos Buttler and Jason Roy are likely to open, also Evan Jones will probably bat at 3.

Match Details

Match: MICT vs PR, 1st Match, South Africa T20 League

Date: Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Time: 9:00 PM

Venue: Newlands, Cape Town

Pitch & Weather Report

Eight T20Is have recorded scores of 180 or more on this venue. The team chasing the target has won 5 times and the team batting first has won 14 matches. Bowlers will get a good bounce on this pitch and the batters will have to be patient before trying out their shots.

It is expected that the weather for the MICT versus PR, 1st match on January 10, 2023, at Newlands, Cape Town, will be mostly cloudy and sunny. Humidity is predicted to be 71 per cent and with a wind speed of 18 kilometres per hour, the temperature is expected to be around 23 degrees Celsius.

MICT vs PR Squads

MICT: Kagiso Rabada, Liam Livingstone, Rashid Khan, Dewald Brevis, Sam Curran, Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Beuran Hendricks, Duan Jansen, Delano Potgieter, Odean Smith, Waqar Salamkheil, Ziyaad Abrahams, Wesley Marshall, Olly Stone, Grant Roelofsen.

PR: David Miller, Jos Buttler, Obed McCoy, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jason Roy, Dane Vilas, Bjorn Fortuin, Mitchell van Buuren, Wihan Lubbe, Ferisco Adams, Imraan Manack, Evan Jones, Ramon Simmonds, Eoin Morgan, Cody Yusuf.

MICT vs PR Probable XIs

MICT: Ryan Rickelton, Grant Roelefson, Rassie Van der Dussen, Dewald Brevis, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, George Linde, Odean Smith, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Duan Jansen

PR: Jos Buttler(WK)(C), Dane Vilas, David Miller, Jason Roy, Eoin Morgan, Andile Phehlukwayo, Corbin Bosch, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Obed McCoy, Bjorn Fortuin

Match Prediction

MICT has a good all-round team with fit players ready to face any challenge but PR has got too many complications in their lineup with players leaving in the mid-season and injured players. It was already tough for PR to face a side predicted to win and these complications have made it tougher. Thus we fancy MICT to win the inaugural encounter. 

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