After registering wins in their last match, both sides will be riding high on confidence heading into the encounter at Newlands. However, Cape Town Blitz seem to have the upper hand as they will be turning out in their home ground, where they had defeated Tshwane Spartans in their opening encounter. They have in-form players like Asif Ali, who smashed a 33-ball 80 against Durban Heat and Kyle Verreynne, who had cracked a 50 in the opening game of the MSL. The experience of Dale Steyn will hold them in good stead and he will be the key bowler in a largely inexperienced bowling attack.
Bay Giants on the other hand have a more balanced bowling unit, with Aaron Phangiso, Ryan McLaren, Imran Tahir and Junior Dala in the side and they would be eager to register their second win, which would give them the much-needed momentum going forward. They have played just one game in the tournament thus far and emerged victorious when they had defeated Jozi Stars by 5 wickets.
Both teams will also be buoyed by the return of the South African international stars, who were away playing in Australia for the first few games. For the home side, Quinton de Kock and Andile Phehlukwayo are expected to return while Bay Giants will have the services of Imran Tahir.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Kyle Verreynne (8 credits)
Though Quinton de Kock is expected to take the keeper's gloves, Kyle Verreynne is likely to play as a specialist batsman.
After registering wins in their last match, both sides will be riding high on confidence heading into the encounter at Newlands. However, Cape Town Blitz seem to have the upper hand as they will be turning out in their home ground, where they had defeated Tshwane Spartans in their opening encounter. They have in-form players like Asif Ali, who smashed a 33-ball 80 against Durban Heat and Kyle Verreynne, who had cracked a 50 in the opening game of the MSL. The experience of Dale Steyn will hold them in good stead and he will be the key bowler in a largely inexperienced bowling attack.
Bay Giants on the other hand have a more balanced bowling unit, with Aaron Phangiso, Ryan McLaren, Imran Tahir and Junior Dala in the side and they would be eager to register their second win, which would give them the much-needed momentum going forward. They have played just one game in the tournament thus far and emerged victorious when they had defeated Jozi Stars by 5 wickets.
Both teams will also be buoyed by the return of the South African international stars, who were away playing in Australia for the first few games. For the home side, Quinton de Kock and Andile Phehlukwayo are expected to return while Bay Giants will have the services of Imran Tahir.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Kyle Verreynne (8 credits)
Though Quinton de Kock is expected to take the keeper's gloves, Kyle Verreynne is likely to play as a specialist batsman. The middle-order player had struck a splendid 34-ball 53 in the tournament's first game, and his partnership with Mohammad Nawaz after his side had been reduced to 64 for 3 was instrumental in Cape Town Blitz putting on a match-winning total.
Batsman: Asif Ali (9 credits)
The Pakistani was the hero of the Blitz side in the last game, as he smashed his way to 80 in just 33 balls, with a staggering strike-rate of 242.42. Over the years, Ali has proven himself to be a T20 specialist, playing 98 matches across the T20 leagues, with a strike-rate of 142.65. Ali has the potential of changing the course of the match in just a few overs, and he will be the team's star player in the next game.
All-rounder: JJ Smuts (9 credits)
Though the Bay Giants' skipper was out for a duck in the first game, he has the potential to strike big if he gets going. With a batting strike-rate of 125.40 and a bowling average of 24.04, Smuts will be the fulcrum for his side going forward. He picked up 3 wickets in his side's win over Jozi Stars in the first match, and bowled economically as well - giving away 20 runs in his quota of overs.
Bowler: Junior Dala (8.5 credits)
Junior Dala has fiery pace and is one of the most talented fast bowlers to have emerged from South Africa in this era. Though he picked up just a solitary wicket in the previous game, he bowled economically, conceding 4.75 runs per over. He can stall the flow of runs in the death overs as well, and hence he will be a crucial member of the team in the tourney.
Captain: Asif Ali
Vice-captain: Junior Dala
