Heinrich Klaasen and Wiaan Mulder’s blistering knocks crushed Joburg Super Kings’ dream to qualify for the finals of the ongoing SA20 league. Under the able leadership of Faf du Plessis, Joburg had a mixed season as at one point, they were on the verge of getting eliminated from the league stage itself. However, the skipper along with Leus de Plooy played some good innings in the last couple of matches, but against Durban in Qualifier 2, the team failed to put up a show, losing the match by 69 runs.
Batting first, Durban struggled to get going as they were 52/3 at one stage. Joburg pacers were dominating in the middle but that didn’t last long. Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Klaasen took control of the situation in the middle overs and changed the course of the game. The Sri Lanka international, Rajapaksa got out after scoring 35 runs off 20 deliveries while Klaasen made 74 runs off just 30 deliveries. Wiaan Mulder supported him well as the 25-year-old smashed 50* runs off just 23 deliveries.
Courtesy of their incredible knocks, Durban posted 211 runs on the board in the first innings. Sam Cook, who was excellent for Joburg in the Eliminator, leaked 58 runs in four overs, while Imran Tahir gave away 45 runs in his three.
The batters followed suit after a disappointing performance from the bowlers. Faf and De Plooy, who were in incredible form coming to the match, made 3 and 10 runs respectively. Players like Reeza Hendricks (27), Moeen Ali (30), Donovan Ferreira (24) and Doug Bracewell (23) managed to get good starts but none of them could convert like Klaasen or Mulder. That ultimately decided the fate of the game.
Junior Dala was exceptional for Durban with the ball, as the 34-year-old picked up four wickets in the match. Naveen-ul-Haq and Dwaine Pretorius picked up two wickets each to seal the victory in Durban’s favour.
Next up, the Keshav Maharaj-led side will challenge defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the final of the SA20 2024.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the Qualifier 2 game of the SA20 2024:
𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 #Playoffs #DSGvJSK
👏 Heinrich Klaasen… 💥💥#Betway #SA20 #WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/ODAjoUGUw2— CricVipez (@CricVipezAP) February 8, 2024
Leaving this here tonight,
Jo’burg Super Kings ended far better than MI Capetown in this League edition.#JSK #JSKvDSG #DSGvJSK #SA20
— Sharon Solomon (@BSharan_6) February 8, 2024
Kinda disheartening to see Jo’burg Super Kings end this way, especially at home. Just that. But, that’s okay! We’ll return stronger next year with an improved squad. We’re known for Comebacks, after all. @JSKSA20 #JSK #JSKvDSG #DSGvJSK #SA20 https://t.co/Ptr9RqT8d0
— Sharon Solomon (@BSharan_6) February 8, 2024
Into the final 🥳💙🔥 #SA20 | #DSGvJSK | #SuperChargeDl pic.twitter.com/4sQJWOIxde
— ROMAN_KL (@Royshib69) February 8, 2024
4 Games
13 WicketsBowl Dala. Wicket nikala. For a reason 😁💙#SA20 #DSGvJSK #SuperChargeD
— SuperGiantsArmy™ — LSG FC (@LucknowIPLCover) February 8, 2024
Mann, for two consecutive years, we’ve faced SF losses after being there somehow, no matter how hard it looked. Never anticipated JSK making it this far with our current lineup, but we’ve made it until here & I’m happy about that. Enough, actually.#JSK #JSKvDSG #DSGvJSK #SA20
— Sharon Solomon (@BSharan_6) February 8, 2024
Victory for Durban’s SuperGiants. They will play Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the #SA20 final on Saturday. 👏🏿💙👏🏿 #DSGvJSK
— Thobani Dlamini (@thobi_dlamini) February 8, 2024
HEINRICH KLAASEN, YOU MADMAN…!!! 🤯
74 (30) with 3 fours and 7 sixes – in the Qualifiers, Klaasen stood tall and dismantled the JSK bowling unit. This guy is a proper beast, what a player. #SA20 #SA20onJioCinema #sixers pic.twitter.com/WmZlmQPh0k— Nityananda Das🇮🇳 (@Jamesnisam5363) February 9, 2024
HENRICH KLAASEN, WHAT A KNOCK 🤯
74 runs from just 30 balls in the Knock out against Joburg Super Kings – Klaasen, one of the finest T20 players going in the world. pic.twitter.com/vKGPOxdW6s
— Virat kohli fan ❤️ (@UnkarBalai) February 9, 2024
Heinrich Klaasen in this SA20 2024-:
Innings – 12
Runs – 447
Average – 44.70
Strike rate – 208.87
Fifties – 4
Fours – 25
Sixes – 37
Qualifier 2 – 74(30)#SA20 pic.twitter.com/tYMunIVqTm— Satish Mishra🇮🇳 (@SATISHMISH78) February 9, 2024
Klaasen is currently the best striker of the ball in world cricket. @ABdeVilliers17 #abd #Klaasen #SA20
— Cric Love (@CricLove01) February 9, 2024