The Titans got their CSA T20 Challenge campaign off to a winning start by beating the Knights by six wickets at Kingsmead on Friday.
As expected, the Pretoria outfit fielded a start-studded lineup for the opening encounter of the competition.
Heinrich Klaasen won the toss and elected to field first, hoping his strong bowl attack could make a quick start with the ball.
READ: Three players to watch: The Knights
Lungi Ngidi did just that by dismissing Jacques Snyman for only three. Patrick Kruger and Andries Gous looked solid and struck a few big blows before Kruger was bowled by Dayyaan Galiem for 22.
POWERPLAY: The Knights are 59-2 at the end of the powerplay with Pite van Biljon (6*) and Andries Gous (23*) out in the middle.
Lungi Ngidi will resume bowling in the 7th over.#TTNvKNI | #T20Challenge pic.twitter.com/yaAXNZFMUR
— The Titans (@Titans_Cricket) February 19, 2021
Gous was next to go when he struck a Lizaad Williams delivery straight to Aiden Markram to depart for 35 off 19 deliveries. Williams managed to trap Farhaan Behardien in front the very next ball.
Tabraiz Shamsi then got in on the act and picked up the quick wickets of Grant Mokoena, Ferisco Adams and Migael Pretorius as the men from Bloemfontein fell to 97-7.
The Knights’ tail failed to offer any further contribution as they were bowled out for only 116. In reply, the Titans were also in trouble early with the Knights picking up early scalps.
Pretorius accounted for Theunis de Bruyn, Aiden Markram and Sibonelo Makhanya, pinning the Titans to 7-3 within the first three overs.
Proteas opener Dean Elgar steadied the ship but he was run out by Adams for 37. Klaasen and Chris Morris took the attack to the Knights bowlers, hitting a few big sixes to get over the line with 2.5 overs remaining.
Klaasen finished unbeaten on 54 off 40 deliveries, while Morris hit 21 off eight balls.
