CAPE TOWN – Mohammad Nawaz and Kyle Verreynne lit up the Mzansi Super League T20 opener at Newlands with two sparkling half-centuries to power the Cape Town Blitz to 180/4 on Friday evening against the Tshwane Spartans.
Nawaz, a wildcard signing from Pakistan, royally entertained his new fans with a sparkling 59 from 37 balls, which included seven boundaries and two sixes.
Young Verreynne equally enjoyed the spotlight with an undefeated 53 off 34 balls. The pair shared a 100-run partnership in 9.2 overs for the fourth wicket.
There were further cameos by Jason Smith (25 off 30 balls) and Janneman Malan (19 off 12 balls), before George Linde closed the innings on a high note for the Blitz with 13 runs off just four balls.
Linde smashed the final ball of the innings from Robbie Frylinck (1/34) deep over mid-off for six.
Earlier, Andrew Birch had taken the first wicket of the competition when he trapped Blitz skipper David Malan lbw for five.
He returned later in the innings to have Nawaz caught in the deep.
The Blitz, though, will still need to bowl well to defend their total, with the Spartans boasting a powerful batting unit that includes master-blaster AB de Villiers.
END OF THE INNINGS #CTBlitz⚡️⚡️⚡️
Muhammad Nawaz announced himself to the #BlitzBrigade with a brisk 59 while Kyle Vereyyne remained unbeaten on 53*
— Cape Town Blitz (@CT_Blitz) November 16, 2018
@ZaahierAdams