Pongolo hits 12 off one ball: Stars’ batsman stood tall in the pressure situation to seal a one-wicket win for his team.
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During the 23rd match of the maiden edition of the ongoing Mzansi Super League between Durban Heat and Jozi Stars at Durban, Stars’ all-rounder Nono Pongolo didn’t let pressure get on him as he scored 12 runs off one ball to secure a one-wicket victory for his team.
The drama unfolded in the last over of the innings being bowled by South Africa fast bowler Machant de Lange. With a couple of wickets in hand, Stars needed 14 runs to seal the chase in the last over.
The first ball of the over saw Pongolo run a single after hitting the ball towards deep square leg. South Africa spearhead Kagiso Rabada getting bowled on the next delivery followed by a single run in two balls reduced the equation to 12 runs from the last two balls of the match.
While the bowling team had a clear advantage at this point in time, it was the bowler who still succumbed to pressure as he bowled a couple of waist-high no-balls, both of which went for sixes over the leg-side.
In the process, Pongolo scored the required amount of runs with a couple of balls remaining as Stars registered their fifth win. With 25 point under their belt, they are currently second in the points table. On the other hand, with six losses in eight matches, Heat are reeling at the bottom.
After Heat captain Albie Morkel won the toss and chose to bat, they were bundled out for 128 in 18.3 overs. Opening batsman Sarel Erwee top-scored for his team, scoring 62 (39) with the help of nine fours and a six. With bowling figures of 3.3-0-29-3, Rabada was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors.
Apart from Pongolo, Stars’ captain Stars captain Dane Vilas chiefly contributed to the chase, scoring 43 (36) with the help of two fours and two sixes.
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