Pretoria Capitals (PC) face a significant setback in the ongoing SA20 2024 as their star Irish opening batter, Paul Stirling, has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament due to a calf injury.

The injury occurred during a training session before the Pretoria Capitals’ match against Durban Super Giants. Unfortunately, Stirling was deemed unfit to participate in the remainder of SA20 2024.

The franchise officially announced this unfortunate development on Monday (29th January) through their Twitter handle. They expressed their best wishes for Stirling’s swift recovery. The team provided additional details on the situation via their Twitter account.

Irish top-order batsman Paul Stirling has suffered a calf injury

Although Paul Stirling did not participate in any game during the tournament, his potential as a backup for openers Will Jacks and Philip Salt was evident. The Irish captain, with his extensive experience in T20 cricket, could have proven to be a valuable asset and a seasoned presence in the format.

Paul Stirling boasts an impressive T20 career, having played 340 matches and accumulated 8191 runs at a striking rate exceeding 141. His remarkable record includes three centuries and 52 half-centuries. In the realm of T20 internationals, Stirling has notched up 3439 runs in 134 matches, solidifying his status as one of the leading run-scorers in the format on the international stage.

The unfortunate absence of Paul Stirling for the remainder of the season marks the second setback for Pretoria Capitals in the league. Previously, New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham was forced out of the tournament due to an injury sustained in a match against Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

James Neesham had a challenging run in SA20 2024, managing to score 80 runs from 6 matches at an average of 13.33. He also contributed with the ball, taking 4 wickets at an economy rate of 9.45 and an average of 16.50. In his stead, Pretoria Capitals introduced all-rounder Jacques Snyman as the replacement.

The franchise officially announced the update on their Twitter platform, stating, “South African-born Dutch all-rounder Colin Ackermann has been enlisted by the Pretoria Capitals as the replacement for Paul Stirling. Pitori, let’s extend a warm welcome to him.”

Pretoria Capitals are facing a challenging phase in the ongoing SA20 2024, having secured victories in only two out of the seven games played so far. Currently positioned at 4th on the points table, they remain in contention for a playoff spot. With aspirations to bolster their standing in the tournament, the team aims to secure victories in their upcoming matches. Their next encounter is against Durban Super Giants on Tuesday (30th January) in Durban, presenting an opportunity for them to strengthen their position and advance in the competition.

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