Rotterdam Dockers won the inaugural match of the European T20 Premier League, beating Amsterdam Flames by 5 wickets with 11 balls to spare in Voorburg. Captain and co-owner Faf du Plessis was named Player of the Match for scoring an unbeaten 83 off 55 balls and taking two catches.
Amsterdam Flames posted 157 for 8 from their 20 overs, with Bas de Leede top-scoring on 75 off 53 balls before being trapped lbw by Anrich Nortje. He smashed 7 boundaries and 2 maximums.
David Wiese, Anrich Nortje and Roelof van der Merwe claimed two wickets each for the Dockers.
Chasing 158, the Dockers lost three wickets inside the powerplay before du Plessis took charge. He batted through to finish unbeaten on 83 off 55, with David Wiese unbeaten on 27 off 17 alongside him to close out the chase. Former South Africa skipper struck 7 fours and 2 sixes, with his run coming at a strike rate of over 150.
Kyle Klein was the pick of the Amsterdam bowlers with 3 for 34.
John Abraham, Jonty Rhodes and Heinrich Klaasen are the other co-owners of the Rotterdam Dockers.
Meanwhile, despite retiring from international cricket, Faf is active in franchise cricket across the globe, and the 42-year-old is renowned for his electrifying fielding and fitness.