Henry Davids returned to his old stomping ground on Sunday to help Paarl Rocks beat Cape Town Blitz by two runs in a thrilling encounter at Newlands.
The 39-year-old former Cape Cobras star smashed 46 runs off 33 balls to guide Rocks to 163/8 in their 20 overs.
Man of the Match Davids opened the innings for Rocks after they were sent in to bat by Blitz captain Quinton de Kock and smashed five fours and a six to top score for his team.
Of his return to Newlands, Davids says: “It was good fun, it was nice coming to play here at Newlands.
“I’m privileged that I’ve got three home grounds - this is one of the old ones and I’ve got Paarl and Pretoria.
“It was nice.”
After a solid start by openers De Kock (23) and Janneman Malan (22), Blitz crashed from 34/0 to 69/5 as Rocks spinners Bjorn Fortuin (2/20) and Tabraiz Shamsi (2/26) wreaked havoc in their middle order.
DAMAGE: Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi. Picture: BackpagePix.
Deep in the toilet, Mohammad Nawaz then gave Blitz a shot at winning the match.
The Pakistan allrounder batted beautifully for his 41 off 23 balls (including three sixes and two fours), but tried one big shot too many with Blitz needing 12 runs off the final over.
Failing to middle the first ball of Sri Lankan Isuru Udana’s over, Nawaz hit the ball straight down the throat of Englishman James Vince at long-off.
As he walked off, Blitz knew their chances left the pitch with him.
FIGHTBACK: Mohammad Nawaz. Picture: Yusuf Maged/BackpagePix.
A no-ball and a wide, followed by a four off the bat of Sisanda Magala set up a tight finish.
Needing five to win off the last ball, Udana bowled another wide.
Down to four off the last ball.
But Blitz had run out of luck as Magala could only hit the ball as far as Rocks captain Faf du Plessis at wide long off, before the ball was thrown in and Gregory Mahlokwana was run out at the bowler’s end.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/CT_Blitz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CT_Blitzmakes it 2 in 2 for the 2019 Cape Derby! Next stop, PE 💜 #PaarlRocks #MSLT20 pic.twitter.com/Gw6cPYdkPb
— Paarl Rocks (@Paarl_Rocks)
Game over. Blitz short by two runs.