MSL T20 2018, Durban Heat vs Cape Town Blitz: Live Score, Commentary, and Updates

Hope you enjoyed all the action from Durban. Thanks for joining us at Sportskeeda. We switch over to Boland Park in less than an hour for the second match of the day between Paarl Rocks and Tshwane Spartans.

Chasing a middling target, Janneman Malan's attacking cameo helped set the tempo for Cape Town Blitz. Keshav Maharaj threatened to derail their run-chase by picking three quick wickets in the middle-overs. But Asif Ali had other ideas. The Pakistan batsman smashed 80 priceless runs from just 33 balls. His spree of big hits took them close. After a nervous hiccup, Blitz reached their target in the final over.

Cape Town Blitz win the match by three wickets and five balls to spare

Cape Town Blitz 158/7 in 19.1 overs

Cape Town Blitz need six runs off the last over. Only three wickets are left. This is turning into a humdinger.

Seven runs from the penultimate over! After piling pressure with a few tight balls, Marchant de Lange loses the plot by over-stepping. Fortunately for Durban Heat, only a single off the ensuing Free Hit.

Cape Town Blitz 152/7 in 19 overs

Cape Town Blitz need 13 runs from the last two overs. Can Ferisco Adams and George Linde see them through?

Asif Ali falls! Massive moment in the game. He has been threatening to singlehandedly win the game for Cape Town. But Kyle Abbott dismisses him with a quick bouncer. Asif is forced into a mistimed pull shot. Nevertheless, what an innings from the Pakistan batsman. He has scored 80 runs from just 33 balls with seven fours and five sixes.

Cape Town Blitz 145/6 in 18 overs

Asif Ali is dropped twice! Is that the game slipping out for Durban Heat? The dynamic right-hander plunders 20 runs from the Marchant de Lange over. Four boundaries off the pacer. To rub salt into the hosts' wounds, he is dropped by Keshav Maharaj and then Temba Bavuma. However, must admit that those are not easy catches by any stretch.

Cape Town Blitz 137/5 in 17 overs

Asif Ali batting on 55 from just 24 balls. Cape Town Blitz require 41 runs from the next 24 balls. Can the Pakistani batsman take his new team to victory?

Asif Ali on fire! The hard-hitter brings up his half-century off just 21 balls. He smashes Prenelan Subrayen for 21 runs. 2 mammoth sixes and a four from the over.

Cape Town Blitz 117/5 in 16 overs

Philander unveils a spicy celebration! The wily seamer's tight line cramps Sibonelo Makhanya for room. The right-hander's attempt to pull on the front foot ends with an inside-edge on to the stumps. Philander celebrates the wicket with an interesting jig. A bit of Dwayne Bravo in that dance move.

Cape Town Blitz 85/5 in 14 overs

Third wicket for Maharaj! This one is not from the best of deliveries. A loose half-tracker sits up nicely for Mohammad Nawaz. But the left-hander picks out deep mid-wicket with almost uncanny precision. Keshav Maharaj is getting stuck into Cape Town's batting lineup.

Cape Town Blitz 80/4 in 13 overs

Effortless six from Asif Ali! The right-hander shows why he is a regular member of Pakistan's top-ranked T20I team. He nonchalantly lifts Keshav Maharaj for a massive straight six. Cape Town need some more of those.

Cape Town Blitz 72/3 in 11 overs

At the half-way mark, Cape Town Blitz are at 62/3. They need 96 runs from the last ten overs. Up against such a potent bowling attack, it looks increasingly difficult for the visitors.

Two Pakistan batsmen at the crease. Can Asif Ali and Mohammad Nawaz lift Cape Town out of the hole which they have dug for themselves?

Double-wicket over for Maharaj! Keshav makes a resounding impact in his very first over. Janneman Malan tries to skip down and hoist the left-arm spinner. But the quicker and flatter one sneaks through to rattle the wood-work. Kyle Verreynne follows suit by holing out to deep mid-wicket. Poor batting from the Blitz.

Cape Town Blitz 51/3 in 9 overs

Stumping missed! Morne van Wyk misses an opportunity to whip the bails off by being too busy appealing for the caught behind. The umpire does not reckon there's an edge. So Janneman Malan survives.

Cape Town Blitz 50/1 in 8 overs

A solid Power Play comes to an end for Cape Town. They'll be reasonably pleased with the start to the run-chase. The visitors need to operate at a shade above eight runs per over.

One Malan goes and the other Malan gets going! Janneman is looking in full flow today. The right-hander smashes successive boundaries off Kyle Abbott. He races to 25 from 15.

Cape Town Blitz 40/1 in 6 overs

de Lange strikes! Dawid Malan has been struggling to adapt to the extra pace on offer. The left-hander gets a sharp good length delivery from Marchant and goes for a full-blooded front foot pull. The inside-edge clatters the stumps.

Cape Town Blitz 30/1 in 5 overs

Sharp pace from Marchant de Lange! The right-arm fast bowler is hitting the deck hard and generating nasty lift. Cape Town escape unscathed from his opening over.

Cape Town Blitz 22/0 in 3 overs

3 boundaries off Philander! Janneman Malan takes the attack to Big Vern. On this same surface, this could have been a completely different battle if the seamer had the red ball in hand. But the white ball is now disappearing to all parts of the ground.

Cape Town Blitz 17/0 in 2 overs

Vernon Philander to attack from the other end

A solid start with the ball for Albie Morkel. He is showing signs of bringing the ball back into the left-hander. Durban need early wickets to push the visitors on the back foot.

Cape Town Blitz 4/0 in 1 over

Dawid Malan and Janneman Malan to open the batting for Cape Town. Albie Morkel takes it upon himself to begin the proceedings with the ball.

Anrich Nortje's vicious new-ball spell reduced Durban Heat to 48/4 at one stage in the innings. Surprisingly, Cape Town skipper Dawid Malan did not allow the in-form pacer to complete his spell. Albie Morkel and Khaya Zondo led the hosts' recovery with some determined batting at Kingsmead. Can Blitz chase down 158? Stay tuned for the run-chase.

Durban Heat 157/5 in 20 overs

20 runs from the last two overs. Zondo falls one short of a half-century. But he has ensured that Durban finish their innings on a strong note. Cape Town Blitz will be slightly disappointed after landing quite a few blows in the early phase of the innings.

Back to back sixes for Khaya Zondo! The right-hander dents Nortje's day by hammering a couple of massive maximums. Anrich has to settle for 4/32 from his quota of 4 overs.

Durban Heat 137/5 in 18 overs

Anrich Nortje back into the attack.

Morkel falls! Albie hammers a six in the first ball and continues to throw the kitchen sink at the next one. But this time around, Ferisco Adams' change of pace does the trick for Cape Town Blitz. The left-hander has to depart for a well-made 25-ball 45.

Dale Steyn today: 4-0-45-0. On a green-tinged surface under heavy cloud cover, this has been a disappointing performance from the legendary pacer. Albie Morkel's sort of upper cut for six sums up his imposing display against Steyn in this game.

Durban Heat 113/4 in 16 overs

Fifty partnership! Morkel and Zondo are building a promising stand. Aside from averting a potential collapse, they have also batted at a decent clip. Can they end the innings with a flourish and take the score to 150?

Durban Heat 99/4 in 15 overs

3 consecutive fours off Dale Steyn! Albie Morkel does not pay any heed to the pacer's reputation and clatters himself for 15 runs in the over. After punishing Steyn for erring in length, the left-hander uses deft touch to exert his dominance.

Durban Heat 87/4 in 13 overs

Albie's in the house! Morkel gets himself going with a powerful slog-sweep six. A much needed maximum for Durban. Can their skipper haul them out of strife?

Durban Heat 72/4 in 12 overs

The closest of shaves for Khaya Zondo! Almost gets himself run out by being extremely sloppy. After stumbling out of his crease, he gets himself in trouble as the wicket-keeper unfurls a quick throw on to the stumps. However, he just about lands a solitary foot at the nick of time. The third umpire rules a close call in his favour. An eventful maiden over comes to an end.

Durban Heat 62/4 in 11 overs

Cape Town are building the pressure nicely by stringing together some tight overs. Interestingly, Dawid Malan is keen on saving Nortje's last over. A more aggressive skipper might go for the kill as the opposition is tottering at the moment.

Durban Heat 62/4 in 10 overs

Skipper Albie Morkel and Khaya Zondo are tasked with rebuilding the innings. Durban desperately need a partnership to steady the ship. For the moment, Cape Town are right on top.

Nortje traps Amla in front! A quicker delivery skids on from the in-between length and nails the static Amla on the crease. This is a stunning spell from the 25-year old pacer. He is using the tailor-made seam-friendly conditions to perfection. He's still got an over up his sleeve. Can he get a five-for today?

Durban Heat 50/4 in 8 overs

Three wickets in four balls for Anrich Nortje! The right-arm seamer follows up the van Wyk wicket by cleaning up Sarel Erwee and castling Temba Bavuma for ducks. What an over to turn the game on its head.

Durban Heat 41/3 in 6 overs

Morne van Wyk falls! The seasoned campaigner plunders a six and four off the first two balls. But he continues to play the percentage shots. Tries to unfurl a premeditated sweep shot against Anrich Nortje. However, the accurate pacer targets the stump with precision.

Amla on the charge! The stalwart breaks the shackles by dancing down the track and hammering a boundary off Mohammad Nawaz.

Durban Heat 31/0 in 5 overs

Hashim Amla batting on 7 runs from 15 balls. While conditions are particularly tricky for batting as the seamers are getting plenty of assistance from above as well as on the pitch, the opener desperately needs to get a move on.

van Wyk scoops Steyn for a six! Plenty of movement at sharp pace from the veteran fast bowler. While Amla is struggling to handle his long-time Proteas teammate, Morne van Wyk relies on innovation to get the better of Steyn.

Durban Heat 22/0 in 3 overs

With murky clouds looming overhead, there's considerable swing on offer. Anrich Nortje's otherwise impressive over is spoiled at the end by Morne van Wyk. The right-hander slashes one through the point region for the first boundary of the match.

Durban Heat 11/0 in 2 overs

A bit of shape away from the right-hander for Dale Steyn. Just five runs from the opening over. More importantly for Durban, both openers still remain intact.

Durban Heat 5/0 in 1 over

Hashim Amla and Morne van Wyk to open the batting for Durban Heat. Dale Steyn with the new ball. All set for action.

Durban Heat XI: Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Marchant de Lange, Sarel Erwee, Keshav Maharaj, Albie Morkel (c), Vernon Philander, Morne van Wyk (wk), Prenelan Subrayen and Khaya Zondo

Cape Town Blitz XI: Dawid Malan (c), Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Sibonelo Makhanya, George Linde, Ferisco Adams, Dale Steyn, Anrich Nortje and Malusi Siboto

Cape Town Blitz win the toss and opt to bowl first.

Durban Heat vs Cape Town Blitz: PREVIEW

Durban Heat are set to play their first match of the Mzansi Super League. They host Cape Town Blitz at the Kingsmead. In the absence of regular skipper Farhaan Behardien, Dawid Malan had led Blitz to a clinical victory against Tshwane Spartans in the inaugural game. With plenty of depth in their batting lineup, they will be looking for another similar performance.

Meanwhile, much of the focus will also be on Durban's bowling attack. With the likes of Rashid Khan, Keshav Maharaj and Brandon Mavuta in the mix, their spin arsenal has the potential to wreak havoc. The presence of seamers Vernon Philander and Kyle Abbott turns their bowling combination into an irresistible one.

Squads

Durban Heat
Albie Morkel (c), Morne van Wyk (wk), Khaya Zondo, Temba Bavuma, Sarel Erwee, Marchant de Lange, Vernon Philander, Rashid Khan, Kyle Abbott, Keshav Maharaj, Brandon Mavuta, Okuhle Cele and Tladi Bokako

Cape Town Blitz
Farhaan Behardien (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Janneman Malan, Dawid Malan, Andile Phehlukwayo, Mohammad Nawaz, Samuel Badree, Asif Ali, Anrich Nortje, Malusi Siboto, Dale Steyn, Dane Piedt, George Linde, Ferisco Adams, Jason Smith, Sibonelo Makhanya and Kyle Verreynne