It’s bee some turnaround for MI Cape Town. After finishing at the bottom of the table for two seasons to now top the league table and then become the first side to qualify for the SA20 2025 Final. Rashid Khan, the captain, takes a lot  of pride in the team’s success. He was at the captain’s press conference ahead of the Final against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, and spoke about a range of topics. Excerpts.. 

Thoughts on the Final 

It’s different for us as a team, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time and topping the table. For us, it is just about focusing on what we can do on the day. We are the team that was at the bottom for two years and now we are at the top. We have been playing some amazing cricket for the past month. It’s not about who the opposition is. They are playing good cricket as well. Losing three in a row first up and then coming into the final is a big achievement as well. They have the experience of playing in the final in the last two years. We are just focusing on playing good cricket and focusing on what we did well in the last one month to get here. That would be the challenge for us than thinking, ‘oh, they’ve been unbeaten in the playoffs’. I don’t think we should have that in mind. It’s about the mindset, effort and approach, which would be key. 

On the leadership group at MI Cape Town 

It's very good to have players who have that experience. In South Africa, you see different conditions everywhere. To have those players around who give you the best information about the wickets and conditions is great. We have players who are mostly from here (Jo’burg) like Ryan Rickelton and KG (Rabada). They know the conditions and know how to play. It gives us a plus as a team. It really helps to get the information you need. We have 60-70 percent of the players who are from this part. But still it’s a T20, you have to play good cricket. We have played some great cricket throughout the competition. We adjusted ourselves to conditions and have responded to pressure situations well. That for me is the outstanding point. Whenever we were under pressure in the group games with bat, ball and on the field, we responded well. That will be the key for tomorrow as well. 

On wanting to be captain again after the first season 

When I got a call from MI Cape Town and they asked me if I wanted to lead the team, I was very excited and said I wanted to. When I left we were at the bottom of the table in the first season and I didn’t come in the second season because of my back problem. It was a big challenge for me and I said ‘yes, I am fully ready’. It was the first time leading a franchise side, which was a different experience for me as well. Leading in the World Cup gave me the confidence and energy I needed as a captain. That really helped me. That’s the challenge I wanted this year as well. I wanted to lead the team. It is just about keeping things simple and thinking about what we could do in the future. As a team that is what was more important for us. I didn’t change much after coming. I just said, ‘look, forget about the result. It is just about effort’. That’s what we are focusing on. That’s all I want from the team. I don’t want results. I want efforts. When you have efforts, more often than not, you get the results.

Whether having a couple of days off is an advantage 

I think it gives you the advantage where your body recovers for the next game. To be honest, we haven’t done much. I just watch Netflix a lot (laughs). The schedule was very busy throughout the tournament. We just took a few days off. Some guys stayed at home. We stayed in the hotel, went out for shopping. We refreshed our bodies and made sure we were ready for the game. 

On dealing with different conditions in South Africa 

It’s quite important that we have a leadership group around a team. As an overseas captain, it is always hard. Having that leadership group to discuss things makes your job easier. We discuss things about the opposition and it makes my job easier. Sometimes it is hard for me to communicate with the boys, and they can do that in different conditions. Every ground in South Africa is different. You are making sure you are having the most of the knowledge about the pitches. I felt it was something I was missing in the first year. This year we have that a lot and it really helps you. It is a huge advantage having those senior players around. You can be more relaxed on the field. 

On the squad for this season 

You get the confidence as a captain to do the best for the team. I knew we had the best team. Like the other day, even when we had 7-8 guys resting, the other guys came on and won with a bonus point. Shows how good the team is. I was excited about the challenges. 

On the plans for Sunrisers Easter Cape

If I tell you, you will tell them (laughs). Nothing different. You know the strong and weak points. You know yourself too. Doesn’t matter who the opposition is, as long as you believe in your skills, you can beat them. They have been the most consistent side in the playoffs as well but for us, it is just to have the positive mindset and accept the challenges. 

On working well with Robbie Peterson

Wil Robbie, I had a good time in the first year as well. In the MLC, I had an amazing time with him as the coach. As soon as I head he would be leading as the Coach at MI Cape Town as well, I was happy. He is someone who always gives you positive energy as a captain. Having a good relationship with the coach is important. We know what we are doing. So far I have really enjoyed. I have learnt a lot from him. He keeps the environment very positive. That’s something that really helps.

On missing Ben Stokes this season

Ben Stokes, we know is one of the best all-rounders. His availability is very important for each team. We still have that kind of a team where we have a backup for each player. We have the skills where if one guy doesn’t do well, there are other guys who take the responsibility forward. It shows how strong the bench and the team is. It was a huge blow for us, but we have the combination where we could recover. 

On becoming the world’s leading wicket-taker in T20s 

It’s a proud moment for me to be the leading wicket taker. It’s been eight or nine years since I’ve been playing cricket and to be the leading wicket taker is something which feels like a dream. Big milestone for me. I will try and keep it with me. We love this game and which is why we wanted to play. As a kid, you only have one thing in mind, which is to enjoy. I play this game for enjoyment. The more you enjoy, the better you perform. You always keep that in mind, we make sure we have fun out there and make sure we make our family and friends proud. We can only give our 100%. 

What he watches on Netflix and in his downtime 

I’m mostly watching Indian movies on Netflix. I am watching Prison Break, it gives you an idea of how to get out of difficult situations (laughs). Going from one city to another is difficult. That’s where your experience comes in on how to adjust to conditions. That’s the beauty of the life you face. To react to that and do well in different conditions is what I enjoy. If there is support for me in the wicket as a spinner, could I take five or seven wickets. If there is no support in the wicket but I take one or two wickets at a good economy is something I enjoy more. I look to do well in tough situations. That’s the beauty of this game. You have to have a mindset that nothing would be easy. As soon as you start finding excuses for yourself, that’s when you start going down. 

Thoughts on the SA20 league

I really enjoyed here. In the first year, I had the best time. It’s the biggest league after the IPL. In the first year, the biggest challenge I faced was to adjust to different conditions. I understood what should be the adjustment and how I should be bowling this year. I feel I have done better this time than what I did in the first year. As a captain, earlier, I was putting too much on myself. If we were losing the game, I was only blaming myself. This year, I kept it simple. It was about trying to give 200 percent to the team. So far, whatever I have done, how I have bowled four overs in different cities, I am happy with my bowling. As a captain having those discussions before the game would help make you a better captain, and makes you mentally strong as well.