We gave a slight tip to Canterbury in this close contest against Otago. The match took place at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on January 7, 2025. Otago won the toss and elected to field first, setting a target of 166 for Canterbury. Canterbury managed 166 runs in their allotted overs, losing 7 wickets, laying a foundation for what we anticipated would be their victory.

Otago's chase began with determination. Despite early setbacks—losing 2 wickets in the first 10 overs—they steadied the ship through middle-order contributions. The Otago batsmen capitalised on Canterbury's later pressure, reaching their target of 167 with 5 wickets to spare and only 8 balls remaining. This was a thrilling win for Otago, snatching victory from what we thought was the jaws of a tightly contested defeat.

In hindsight, it was indeed too close to call; this match turned on a knife's edge. The result underscores the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket where momentum swings can dramatically alter outcomes. Despite our prediction for Canterbury, Otago demonstrated resilience and skill, proving why they emerged victorious in this closely fought match.