Lions T20 final hero Rabada: Winning a title feels good

Lions fast bowler Kagiso Rabada feels proud to have played a major role in helping his team win the T20 Challenge on Sunday.

The Johannesburg-based outfit claimed the 20-over title when they overcame the Dolphins by four wickets in a low-scoring final in Durban.

Rabada was the star with the ball, claiming three for 12 during his four-over spell that helped restrict the hosts to just 107, before the Lions chased down the target with six deliveries to spare.

“It feels good to win this title,” the Proteas star said. “First of all, I really wanted to play, to be involved and to find some good form. Also, to be playing for the Lions… I haven’t played for them in quite a while. It’s nice to be involved where it all started and what better way to end than with a trophy.

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“It’s been amazing playing with my Lions team-mates this past week, it’s been a really chilled environment and when we did get onto the field, we delivered. It was a great environment to be part of.”

Rabada played six out of seven matches for his side, claiming nine wickets at an average of 15.33. Team-mate Sisanda Magala was the most successful bowler for the Lions, bagging 13 wickets.

Lions captain Temba Bavuma was equally impressed by their performances with the ball.

“I’m obviously super proud of the boys and their effort,” he stated. “It’s been an excellent campaign for us. We obviously came here with the trophy in sight and that’s what we managed to achieve.

“It was an all-round performance with the bowlers obviously setting the tone for us, they’ve been the heartbeat for us in each game, and the batters then coming right closer to the end of the tournament.”

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