MI Cape Town look to build on proud Newlands record

MI Cape Town captain Rashid Khan is hoping to extend his team’s proud Newlands record in their opening Betway SA20 Season 4 match against Durban’s Super Giants (DSG) on Friday. The defending Champions were unbeaten across five matches at home in Season 3, transforming Newlands into a fortress and their campaign into a Championship-winning success.

The home side is packed with a host of superstars such as Proteas Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch along with internationals Khan, Trent Boult and new arrival Nicholas Pooran ready to entertain the MI Cape Town faithful.

Khan feels his team are ready to express themselves after claiming the title last season.

“There was more pressure last year than this year, you know we came at the bottom twice in a row and to come up from that and win the trophy was a big thing for us as a team,” he said.

“I think what we did right was we played collectively as a team and we took the responsibility at certain points of the game.

“Every player is well experienced and they will adjust themselves with the condition and the position of the team quite quickly.

“Everyone is so professional, they have played so much cricket around the world, and I think it won't be that difficult for them to acclimatise.”

MI Cape Town are eager to start the new campaign on a similar footing with Khan expecting Pooran to hit the ground running for his new team.

“He (Pooran) is going to bring lots of energy to the game,” he said. “We know how dangerous and how good a cricketer he is.

“He is a kind of like a person who comes in smashing lots of sixes you will see. He’s a guy full of energy and entertainment and I am sure he is going to love his time here.”

Durban’s Super Giants have revamped their squad and are quite capable of being the Grinch of Christmas past by spoiling MI Cape Town’s homecoming.

New captain Aiden Markram, who has won the competition twice previously with Sunrisers Eastern Cape, brings a wealth of experience and a winning mentality to Lance Klusener’s team.

The Super Giants have an equal array of sparkling dust sprinkled through their star-studded squad with Markram joined by England’s former T20 World Cup-winning captain Jos Buttler.

The batting department boasts further experience in New Zealand legend Kane Williamson and former Proteas white-ball basher Heinrich Klaasen.

West Indian Sunil Narine is unfortunately not available as yet but the Super Giants have recruited Proteas Test hero Simon Harmer to further bolster a spinning contingent that already boasts Afghanistan mystery bowler Noor Ahmad.

“There is a really nice balance in the set-up and we have a nice group of guys. We have some really good all-rounders, mixed with 2-3 world class players with the likes of Buttler, Klaasen and co,” Markram said.

"I think a lot of it comes down to finding our strength as a team and our identity and what gives us the best chance to play good cricket and win games of cricket, so it's obviously a new and exciting challenge for us in a competition with a lot of new faces."

Cricket fever has reached boiling point in the Mother City with the opening game completely sold out with holidaymakers set to bring the festive spirit.

Award-winning performer and recently named GQ Man of the Year, Shimza will get the party started with a rocking opening performance at 4.20pm. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to take in the performance and to make the most of the Betway SA20 experience.

Aside from incredible cricket, fans can expect free giveaways, fun activities for the kids (stilt walkers, balloon artists, face painters), DJs on the entertainment stage, dance cams, innings break activities and entertainment. Kids are welcome to play on the field for the first hour after gates open (weather dependant) and are encouraged to bring a bat and a soft ball along to enjoy the field. ​ ​

Betway SA20 partners are also giving fans many chances to win. Spectators have a chance to win big with a clean one-handed catch in Betway's Catch R2 Million competition. Suzuki will also be giving away a brand new Suzuki Swift GL+. Absa cardholders will enjoy ticketing discounts as well as a chance to win up to R200 000 at every live Betway SA20 match. Switch will be giving away R5 000 at each match and Castle Lite is back with their spin-and-win wheel.

Betway SA20 will be the place to be this summer with tickets across all six stadiums selling fast. Fans and vibe-seekers are encouraged to secure their front-row seats at www.SA20.co.za or at the stadium ticket office.

Gates open three hours before the first ball and spectators are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the full Betway SA20 experience.

Notes for ticket holders

This season, all tickets are digital. ​ Fans can expect the entry may be busy and connectivity can occasionally be limited in a full stadium.

To minimise gate delays, fans should do the following: ​

At Home

Spectators must install the Google or Apple Wallet.

Spectators must then download their digital ticket to their Google or Apple Wallet from their email confirmation or Ticketpro account.

Important note: For security, the barcode needed for stadium entry will only be activated seven days before the match so you will only be able to add your ticket to your mobile wallet seven days prior to the event.

At stadium

Screenshots will not be accepted.

Duplicate tickets will not be accepted. Spectators must have their tickets ready and phone on full brightness for quick scanning at the gate.

Read this quick guide to saving tickets for more: https://www.sa20.co.za/news/quick-guide-to-downloa​ding-​ticke​ts

Tickets are transferrable: Transfer your tickets early so your friends, colleagues or family can walk in without waiting around for you - or vice versa. It’s simple, fast and makes getting through the gates a breeze. How to guide: https://www.sa20.co.za/news/quick-guide-to-transfe​rring​-tick​ets

Ticketing Customer support

If you have any questions or encounter issues with your tickets, please contact Ticketpro Support: Email: info@ticketpro.co.za