Watch: Aiden Markram takes one-handed blinder in SA20

Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s Aiden Markram completed a brilliant catch yesterday in the first Qualifier of the ongoing SA20 at the Newlands in Cape Town. Leading his team and reigning champions Sunrisers, Markram ended up on the winning side during the game against Durban’s Super Giants to reach the final stage. Markram’s spectacular catch occurred in the fourth over of the second innings when the Super Giants were chasing a 158-run target.

JJ Smuts was the victim as he tried to clear the boundary over the mid-on region where Markram was placed. It was a short-length delivery from Eastern Cape pacer Ottniel Baartman but Smuts could not connect it properly. The mistimed shot initially seemed way out of Markram’s reach but the Sunrisers skipper chose to give it a try. He threw his body into the air and the ball landed in his clasp.

A clip of Markram’s extraordinary effort was shared by the official account of SA20 on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. “Is it a bird, or is it a place…no it is Super Aiden,” the caption of the post read. The attracted numerous reactions from fans, who labelled the South Africa international as “Aiden Flying Markram.”

, .. . ‍♂️#Betway #SA20 #Playoffs #SECvDSG #WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/WFz4dZJvPW

— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) February 6, 2024

The Super Giants made a disastrous start to their run chase with both their openers- Tony de Zorzi and Matthew Breetzke- returning early to the pavilion. They were reeling at 13/2 in the fourth over when JJ Smuts arrived at the crease to join Quinton de Kock.

Markram also enjoyed a good outing with the bat. Jordan Hermann and Dawid Malan earned a powerful start for the Eastern Cape. While Hermann could not survive longer, Malan notched a commendable half-century, scoring 63 off 45 balls. Markram came in following the fall of Tom Abell’s wicket. The skipper slammed a boundary and a six during his 23-ball innings while contributing with a crucial 30-run knock.

It turned out to be a game of the bowlers in the second innings. For the Super Giants, only Wiaan Muldar was able to breach the 30-run mark. Marco Jansen and Ottniel Baartman led the demolition job as the pace duo fetched four wickets each. Among the other Sunrisers bowlers, Liam Dawson picked up two wickets as the Super Giants were bowled out for 106 runs.