Joburg Super Kings captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and opted to field in the Eliminator of SA20 2024, at the Wanderers. Jason Roy and Jos Buttler, the Paarl Royals openers, set the tone by adding 26 in 15 balls against Sam Cook, who replaced Lizaad Williams for the match, and Nandre Burger.

Cook then had Buttler caught behind. Mitchell Van Buuren left the first ball he faced. The next ball was short, and took the top edge as Van Buuren attempted a near-casual pull.

The ball took the top edge and flew past the 44-year-old Imran Tahir at fine leg. Tahir, who had debuted in professional cricket in 1996/97, ran backwards and held an excellent catch over his shoulders to send Van Buuren back, and broke into Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous ‘SIUUU’ celebrations.

Paarl were bowled out for 138 by Joburg’s opening bowlers whose surnames made a curious culinary combination: Cook finished with 4-24 and Burger 3-26. Tahir, too, chipped in with 2-33.

Joburg openers Leus du Plooy (68 in 43 balls) and du Plessis killed the chase by adding 105 in 65 balls. They won with nine wickets and 40 balls in hand, and will face Durban’s Super Giants in Qualifier 2. The winner of that match will face Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the final.

Watch 44-year-old Imran Tahir take an extraordinary catch at the SA20:

𝑨𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒂 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 🤯#Betway #SA20 #WelcomeToIncredible #PRvJSK #Eliminator pic.twitter.com/LVzjlBO4kf

— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) February 7, 2024