Both Rashid and Curran played key roles in England’s triumphant campaign at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. While Curran was named Player of the Match in the final as well as Player of the Tournament, Rashid’s spells in the middle overs, particularly in the England’s semi-final and the final, were key to England’s success.

Now at the inaugural season of the SA20, they were up against each other in Cape Town – Rashid for Pretoria, Curran for the home side.

Cape Town restricted Pretoria to 182-8 after opting to bowl. Will Jacks slammed a 27-ball 62 at the top of the order, while Theunis de Bruyn made 36 in 26 balls. Jacks was eventually bowled by Odean Smith who took 2-27, while Jofra Archer continued his impressive return to the cricketing spotlight with figures of 3-37. Curran’s only over went for 15.

Dewald Brevis and Ryan Rickelton opened batting for Cape Town in their pursuit of the total, and Curran strode out after Eathan Bosch snared Rickelton for 11.

Cape Town were 49-1 after seven overs when Rashid came on to bowl against his countryman. Curran pulled the first ball of the over through mid-wicket, before Rashid altered his line for his second delivery but ended up conceding a wide outside off-stump.

Rashid’s next ball, while slower, was flat – yet it turned at an absurd angle. It grew on Curran, who had already committed to a cut shot (or a similar off-side stroke), and came too close to him to be able to get the ball away. It also kept a bit low, ruling out any chance of a lucky edge down to third man, and crashed on to the middle stump. Curran walked back for an 18-ball 22.

Cape Town’s chase ran out of steam once Anrich Nortje (3-22) snared Brevis for a 30-ball 46. Rassie van der Dussen, the only other batter to reach double figures, took 25 balls for his 24. With Wayne Parnell (3-14) and Rashid (2-37) also in the wickets, Cape Town crumpled to 130 all-out.

Watch Adil Rashid bowl Sam Curran here:

Adil Rashid rips it through Sam Curran 🤯#Betway #SA20 #MICTvPC | @Betway_India pic.twitter.com/xhrIzIsVfy

— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) January 23, 2023