NEW DELHI: It was a moment of redemption for Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan cricket star, when he lifted the SA20 trophy with Mumbai Indians Cape Town (MICT) in the third season. Having experienced a challenging journey with the franchise, Rashid’s triumph came after a long and testing wait. From IPL glory to leadership struggles in SA20, this victory was nothing short of sweet.

A Rocky Start in SA20

When Rashid Khan joined MICT as the captain, he had high hopes for the team. However, the franchise’s journey was far from smooth. In the inaugural season, MICT’s campaign started with a victory, but things quickly unraveled. The team struggled to find consistency, finishing at the bottom of the points table with just two wins out of their final eight matches.

Rashid’s own performance during the season wasn’t exceptional either, with the star spinner picking up just nine wickets in 10 matches. While Kagiso Rabada led the wicket-taking charge for MICT, claiming 11 wickets, and Roelof van der Merwe emerged as the season’s top wicket-taker with 20 dismissals, the overall performance was underwhelming.

Challenges in the Second Season

The second season of SA20 wasn’t much better for MICT. Despite a glimmer of hope with a narrow win over Joburg Super Kings (JSK), the team continued to be plagued by inconsistency. Key players like Ryan Rickleton and Rabada struggled to find their rhythm, leaving MICT at the bottom of the table once again.

The team’s performances were marked by a string of losses, including a humiliating 10-wicket defeat to JSK, the very team they had beaten earlier in the season. This put the franchise in a precarious position, and there was talk of a major overhaul of the squad.

A New Hope Under Rashid Khan’s Leadership

Just when it seemed like MICT’s hopes were dashed, Rashid Khan returned to lead the team in the third season. This time, things took a dramatic turn for the better. Rashid, who had missed the second season due to a back injury, was given the reins once again. His leadership sparked a remarkable turnaround.

“I got a phone call ahead of the third season asking whether I wanted to lead. I said yes,” Rashid recalled. His confidence and vision began to resonate with the team, and MICT found their groove. The key to this success was a strong powerplay performance and consistent intent from players like Rassie van der Dussen, Rickleton, Dewald Brevis, and George Linde.

Batting First Becomes a Strength

In previous seasons, MICT struggled while batting first, with only three wins in 11 attempts. This time, however, they turned the tide. The team won six out of eight completed matches while batting first, showcasing their improved consistency and strategic approach.

A Miraculous Final Showdown

MICT’s incredible turnaround led them to the final, where they faced defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC), who had won the previous two editions of the tournament. After a strong start by Rassie and Rickleton, the team stumbled with the loss of three quick wickets. It was at this critical point that Brevis, known as ‘Baby AB,’ stepped up, smashing 38 off 18 balls, helping MICT post a competitive total of 181.

In the second innings, the bowlers delivered a stellar performance, with Rabada claiming four wickets and MICT knocking out SEC for just 105 runs in 18.4 overs. This dominant performance secured MICT’s first-ever SA20 title.

Rashid Khan’s Moment of Glory

Rashid Khan’s leadership and determination were key to MICT’s success. “Throughout this season, we didn’t play a selfish innings. Every player thought about what the team needs,” Rashid reflected after the win. “This is the only franchise which has won every tournament — IPL, MLC, ILT20, and now the SA20.”

For Rashid, the victory was a long-awaited moment of personal and team triumph. After years of striving for silverware, the Afghanistan all-rounder finally secured his second major trophy. The journey from disappointment to glory was complete, and MICT’s remarkable turnaround under Rashid’s leadership will go down as one of the most inspiring stories in SA20 history.