Wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi found some consolation in the dismissal of former South African captain AB de Villiers as the Paarl Rocks slipped to a four-wicket defeat to the Tshwane Spartans in Wednesday’s Mzansi Super League clash at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Shamsi removed De Villiers, England batsman Eoin Morgan and wicketkeeper-batsman Gihahn Cloete in quick succession, but his telling burst was not enough. The Spartans reached a modest 122-run target with three deliveries to spare.

‘It is not great losing a game of cricket. We were short with the runs, but the guys showed some fight,’ said Shamsi.

‘AB is a legend. He is a once-in-a-generation kind of player, so his wicket is memorable. But I am a bit sad that we couldn’t win. I always try and put in big performances for the team. There are a lot of positive sides – and we’ve still got three more games.’

Spartans seamer Lutho Sipamla was named Player of the Match after completing figures of three for 19 in four solid overs. His performance included the wickets of national captain Faf du Plessis, Test opener Aiden Markram and West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo.

‘I’m looking to do better things all the time and I have been learning so much from the senior players. AB tells me to stay cool, calm and collected in the field. He calms me down as a bowler,’ added Sipamla.

Photo: Gallo