IPL ROUND-UP: KLAASEN, NOOR AND BREVIS FINISH ON A HIGH

After weeks of hotly contested league matches that started back in March, the IPL is heading into the playoffs this week with the final set for Tuesday, 3 June.

Punjab Kings will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the first Qualifier in Mohali on Thursday before Gujarat Titans go head-to-head with Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator at the same venue on Friday.

The second Qualifier is on Sunday in Ahmedabad.

Leading Betway SA20 batter: Heinrich Klaasen (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Matches: 14, Runs: 487, Highest Score: 105*, Average: 44.27, Strike Rate: 172.69

The Durban Super Giants superstar exploded in the final league game of the IPL season against Kolkata Knight Riders with an undefeated 105 off 39 balls.

It included a 17-ball 50 against KKR and a 37-ball 100 - which equalled the record for the third fastest century in IPL history.

ALSO READ: "I'm a big situation player" - Klaasen

Klaasen’s pyrotechnics saw him pip his Proteas teammate and Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain Aiden Markram, who closed off his season with a 61 and 36 to finish on 445 runs at an average of 34.23 at a strike-rate of 148.82.

Leading Betway SA20 bowler: Noor Ahmad (Chennai Super Kings)

Matches: 14, Wickets: 24, Best Bowling: 4/18, Average: 17.0, Economy: 8.16

The Afghanistan leg-break bowler has been magnificent throughout the IPL despite Chennai Super Kings enduring a tough season. He currently heads the IPL top wicket-takers' list, but could lose the purple cap due to the Super Kings missing out on playoff qualification.

The Durban Super Giants’ star finished strongly against his former team, Gujarat Titans, claiming 3/21 to bring some smiles to the Yellow Army.

Breakout IPL season: Dewald Brevis (Chennai Super Kings)

Matches: 6, Runs: 225, Highest Score: 57, Average: 37.50, Strike Rate: 180

Brevis has been in a hurry since belatedly joining the IPL this season. The change to Chennai Super Kings’ yellow has certainly revitalised the youngster with Brevis making an immediate impact for his new team.

He kept his best for the last match with a Player of the Match performance of 57 off just 23 balls (4x5, 5x6).

ALSO READ: "I'm having fun out there" - Brevis

“Thank you to Chennai management, coaches, and everyone involved for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to do what I love — PLAYING CRICKET,” Brevis posted on social media.

“A special thank you to my teammates for making me feel welcome from day one. And to all our incredible fans in India, you were amazing. The atmosphere and support at Chepauk were unforgettable. I hope to be back soon.”

SA20 PLAYERS WHO FEATURED FOR IPL PLAYOFF TEAMS

• Marco Jansen*, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis (all Punjab Kings)

• Liam Livingstone, Lungi Ngidi* (both Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

• Gerald Coetzee, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada* (all Gujarat Titans)

• Jonny Bairstow, Corbin Bosch*, Trent Boult, Richard Gleeson, Will Jacks*, Ryan Rickelton*, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Lizaad Williams (all Mumbai Indians)

  *have left for international commitments