Moeen Ali hit a quickfire 25 and picked up a key wicket as his side Cape Town Blitz defeated Jozi Stars by 15 runs in a high-scoring opening Mzansi Super League match of 2019 in Johannesburg.
The England and Worcestershire all-rounder went in at number three in his first action since the Vitality Blast final against Essex – and again came up against spinner Simon Harmer.
Moeen hit Harmer, a key member of Essex’s last ball success, for three fours and a six in one over.
But he was dismissed in the next over when he pulled a short ball from Dan Christian – captain of Notts Outlaws in the Blast semi-final at Edgbaston – into the hands of deep mid wicket.
An unbeaten 99 off 59 balls lifted the Blitz to 213-3 from their 20 overs.
The Stars made a strong reply to their daunting target and number three Temba Bavuma hit 38 off 15 balls.
But Moeen brought about his downfall when he was caught behind via a bottom edge.
Opener Reeza Hendricks struck 80 off 53 deliveries but the Stars fell short and eventually closed on 198-5.
