Joe Clarke credited the Outlaws' bowling attack for playing an influential role in Notts' opening-night win in the Vitality Blast over local rivals Derbyshire Falcons.
Clarke led the successful chase of 178 set by the visitors, compiling a superbly efficient 68 from just 29 deliveries at the crease before falling to Zak Chappell in the seventh over of the innings.
But the target could have been far larger if not for the work of the Nottinghamshire bowlers in the latter stages of the Derbyshire innings - notably Matthew Carter, loanee Conor McKerr and new arrival Shaheen Afridi - who pinned the visiting batsmen and turned the tide of the encounter after two half-centuries from Wayne Madsen and Luis Reece.
"Madsen and Reece played really well to get them off to a very good start and at first it looked like 200-plus could have been the target," Clarke said post-match, "but we took wickets and dragged the game back really nicely.
"Conor McKerr - on debut as well - bowled extremely well."
Clarke was visibly pleased with the impact of Pakistani international Afridi, who arrived at Trent Bridge earlier this week: "He showed why he's one of the number-one picks in the world in this format.
"To close out their innings in the way he did was special to watch, and made a slightly easier chase for us."
Matthew Montgomery also impressed on his Vitality Blast debut for the Outlaws, claiming the all-important wicket of Reece in his only over with the ball-in-hand before knocking 51 from 29 deliveries faced, and his efforts did not go unnoticed.
"The biggest compliment I can pay him is that Alex Hales told me his performance was one of the most impressive debuts he has seen in a Notts shirt," Clarke said, "to receive a comment like that from someone of Alex's calibre is amazing."
"He keeps going from strength to strength - I'm really pleased that he started well tonight."
The Outlaws immediately turn their attention to Old Trafford, where Lancashire Lightning await Peter Moores' side on Saturday evening.
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