SA20 2023: Waqar Salamkheil cleans up Faf du Plessis with a ripper

MI Cape Town dominated the Joburg Super Kings in the SA20 2023 at Cape Town on January 14 as the latter struggled against impressive MI Cape Town bowlers, especially young spinner Waqar Salamkheil. Salamkheil bowled out veteran batter Faf du Plessis with a ripper to showcase his potential.

After being asked to bat first, the Super Kings lost opener Reeza Hendricks on just two runs courtesy of a sensational delivery from Kagiso Rabada. Things got worse soon as they lost Janneman Malan and Kyle Verreynne in the next over bowled by George Linde. 

But the biggest shock for the Super Kings came in the eighth over as Salamkheil bowled out du Plessis with a brilliant delivery. du Plessis was struggling for big shots and was under pressure due to fall of early wickets. Salamkheil, bowling his first over, got a fast one turn sharply into du Plessis. The batter had no time to bring his bat down in time as the ball ripped off his middle stump.

#MICT spinner bowls #JSK skipper with an absolute ripper#MICTvJSK #Betway #SA20 | @Betway_India pic.twitter.com/AJmxNDMZBD

— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) January 14, 2023

Salamkehil completed his four-over spell conceding only 19 runs with the wicket of the JSK skipper. George Linde, Rashid Khan and Odean Smith also scalped with two wickets each,  whileRabada proved as the best bowler for the MI Cape Town with figures of 2/12. Leus du Plooy top-scored with 21 runs off 26 balls while Malan managed to contribute 16 runs for the Super Kings.

The 21-year-old Afghan spinner Salamkheil was not part of MI Cape Town's first two games, but he got a chance as pacer Jofra Archer was rested. He appeared for Afghanistan in only one Test match, against Ireland in March 2019, and is yet to make his debut in white-ball international cricket.