Kyle Verreynne and Muhammad Nawaz struck maiden T20 half-centuries as the Cape Town Blitz stroked their way to 180-4 against the Tshwane Spartans, writes KHALID MOHIDIN from Newlands.

The long-awaited Mzansi Super League finally kicked off on Friday as the Cape Town Blitz took on the Tshwane Spartans at Newlands. The atmosphere came alive when Cobras all-rounder Rory Kleinveldt took the new ball to signal the start of the MSL.

The Blitz got off to the worst possible start, their much-hyped international marquee player and stand-in skipper, Dawid Malan, being trapped leg before courtesy of a full delivery from Andrew Birch that would have clipped leg-stump.

Next to fall was Janneman Malan after a bright start with some clean hitting, before he was clean bowled for 19 by a lethal Robbie Frylinck delivery that sent his middle stump cartwheeling.

Jason Smith was next to go after a bright cameo innings of 25 off 27 balls, swinging at a ball from Jeevan Mendis that beat him for flight and clipped his leg stump.

Ashwell Prince bravely moved Kyle Verreyenne up to No 4 and it duly paid off, the young wicketkeeper-batsman stringing together an innings-saving partnership with Pakistan all-rounder Muhammad Nawaz.

Both players reached their maiden half-centuries in quick time, Nawaz reaching his off 33 balls while Verreynne took just 30 balls.

Nawaz was phenomenal, smashing seven fours and two sixes in scoring his 37-ball 59 before being well caught by Lutho Sipamla on the long-on boundary.

Verreynne ended the innings not out on 53, his innings including six fours and a six. George Linde hit a cameo 13 off four balls, doing some damage to Frylinck’s figures in hitting him for 2-4-6 off the last three balls of the inning. Linde’s six off the last ball was sublime, sailing high over long off to the delight of the crowd.

Scorecard 

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images