MI Cape Town strolled into the final of the 3rd edition of the SA20 with a comfortable 39 run win against Paarl Royals in Gqeberha on Tuesday night.
They have a star-studded squad, but will be up against a Sunrisers Eastern Cape side that has won two straight SA20 tournaments.
Royals opt to field first after winning the toss
Paarl Royals Captain David Miller won the toss and chose to field first in qualifier one of the 3rd edition of the SA20. Unfortunately for him, MI Cape Town got off to a flyer with an opening stand of 87 in 9.2 overs between Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton. Van der Dussen was the first wicket to fall for 40 from 32 balls (3×4’s ,2×6’s). He was caught by Miller off the bowling off Dayyaan Galiem. Rickelton followed six runs later for 44 from 27 balls (4×4’s,2×6’s). He was caught by Mitchell Owen off the bowling off Dunith Wellalage.
MI Cape Town then lost the wickets of Sediqullah Atal for a duck and George Linde for 26. Next followed an unbeaten fifth wicket partnership of 75 between Dewald Brevis and man of the match Delano Potgieter. Brevis made 44 from 30 balls (4×6’s) and Potgieter made a 17 ball 32 (4×4’s,1×6) that helped MI Cape Town get to a challenging 199 for four.
MI Cape Town restrict Royals with excellent bowling display
Teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius got Paarl Royals off to a flying start in their run chase. He smashed Trent Boult for two fours and a six in the first over before falling to Kagiso Rabada in the 2nd over when he played to a wide delivery that got the edge and was caught by wicket-keeper Rickelton for 15 from six balls (2×4’s,1×6).
His opening partner Owen went for seven in the next over with Boult recovering to claim his first wicket. They then lost wickets at regular intervals. Rubin Hermann (2), Galiem (12) and Wallalage (15). Miller and Dinesh Karthik put on some sort of resistance. Miller went for 45 from 26 balls (4×4’s,3×6’s) in the 14th over. He was followed by Karthik for 31 from 28 balls (5×4’s) three overs later.
The writing was then on the wall for the Royals, who then lost the wickets of Andile Phehlukwayo (5), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (7), and Bjorn Fortuin (10) to be bowled out for 160 with two balls to spare. Boult, Rabada, Corbin Bosch and Rashid Khan bagged two wickets each with Khan becoming the leading wicket taker in T20 cricket in the process. He took wicket number 632 and 633, going past the record previously held by Dwayne Bravo (631 wickets).
Post-match reflections by MI Cape Town Captain Rashid Khan
“Great feeling you know — especially as you mentioned, first couple of years it was tough to finish at the bottom. Then, next year coming we just have that in the mind we just need to be in the playoffs. You know that’s something which will give us a kind of relief but I think the way we played throughout the group stage you know I think was brilliant cricket and then you know first qualifier I think everyone is taking their responsibility and knows what we’re doing and taking the pressure on and want to perform under pressure. That’s something which makes me so impressed.”
Khan on becoming leading wicket–taker in T20’s
“Ya it’s a great achievement. I never thought about it if you asked 10 years before that I would be someone taking that many wickets but it’s a proud feeling to be from Afghanistan and to be at that level where you top the table. DJ you know is one of the best T20 bowler but it’s a great honour and looking forward to keep that continue.”
Post- match reflections by Paarl Royals Captain David Miller
“Ya look I think we started a little bit on the back foot. To be honest with you, for the power-play, the guys came out really batting superbly there, Ricks and Rassie… After the power-play we brought it back beautifully then the back end we kind of lost our way a little bit. Couple extras cost us, wides and couple no balls. It all adds up at the end of the day but in the whole it wasn’t our best night.”
The final takes place at the Wanderers on Saturday, 8 February.
