Cricket is a game of great unpredictability and no format is more unpredictable than the shortest format of T20.
Champions League has been no different either with the relative underdogs - Sydney Sixers and Highveld Lions - faring far better than was expected of them. The two teams will clash in their encounter on Thursday at Cape Town.
Sydney Sixers have won both their matches and are sitting top of the table after comfortable wins against Chennai Super Kings and Yorkshire.
On Tuesday, they thrashed a listless Yorkshire side to steer their run rate skywards. Their pace bowling has been the biggest asset to them as Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins rocked the top order with five wickets between them.
Captain Brad Haddin has appeared pleased with his team’s performance and he himself scored a whirlwind 41 in the run chase that was completed inside nine overs.
Shane Watson and Michael Lumb at the top of the order provide the impetus and their challenge will be against a Lions team that is far more comfortable bowling first.
Highveld Lions have been an even bigger surprise with their form as they also have four points from two matches. While their run rate is not that high, their wins have nevertheless been well-crafted leading to two successful run chases.
Against Chennai Super Kings, they won in the final over with three balls to spare. Gulam Bodi scored a half-century while Neil McKenzie’s experience has shown its true worth in the two matches played so far.
With the ball, Aaron Phangiso bowled a dream spell with two wickets for 16 runs but it is the pace of Dirk Nannes and swing of Sohail Tanvir that has the potential to greatly trouble the batsmen.
The match will be played at Cape Town, starting at 1.30pm local time.