EXCLUSIVE | Capitals with a point to prove ahead of Royals game

The Pretoria Capitals fast bowler Lungi Ngidi says there is a lot to play for in their clash against the Paarl Royals on Saturday at SuperSport Park, Centurion, in Pretoria. 

Ngidi, in an exclusive interview with Independent Media, fresh from a hat-trick in their last clash against Durban's Super Giants earlier this week, sent a chilling message to the Paarl-based Royals ahead of their match at SuperSport Park on Saturday.

The Capitals currently sit at fourth place in the standings, with two victories, three losses and one draw in six games, and head into the next encounter away from home with a point to prove. 

The Pretoria-based unit won away from home against the Super Giants, completing a sparkling 15-run win at Kingsmead Stadium, a victory that was led by Shai Hope's record century. 

Ngidi emphasised that they have a lot to play for in Paarl as they look to get closer to securing a spot in the playoffs of the competition. 

"There's always something to play for," Ngidi told. "Conversations are always the same in a short tournament like this, especially with games back-to-back. Momentum is the most important." 

Ngidi started the tournament on a back foot, taking only one wicket in four innings before heading into their most recent fixture against the Durban's Super Giants, where he took a hat trick in his fourth and final over of the match. 

In his response to his slow start in the tournament, Ngidi highlighted the importance of peaking at the right time of the tournament. 

The right-hander is currently on a high, having returned figures of 3/39 in his last outing and heads into Paarl, his previous home venue for three seasons, with confidence in an aim to get maximum points. 

"You do want to peak at the right time. You don't want to peak too early, get to the knockout stages, and, you know, flutter away," Ngidi told Independent Media in an exclusive interview. 

"I've had that before in another team, but look,  there have been a couple of rained-out games. There are two teams that are kind of clearly on the charge right now, but the rest is all to play for. Everyone is still sort of in the mix."

Ngidi and his teammates head into Boland Park with nothing but confidence as they hunt for maximum points in order to place themselves in the knockout stages and be in line for their first-ever SA20 trophy tile this season.

The clash between the Paarl Royals and the Pretoria Capitaks is set to get underway at 1 pm SAST on Saturday.