The Mpumalanga Rhinos blew a golden opportunity to beat the Titans in the T20 Knock Out tournament in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.
Needing just 70 runs to win a rain-affected match that was eventually reduced to just seven overs a side, Rhinos openers Alexander Kok (16 from nine balls) and Rubin Hermann (19 from nine) gave their team a great start.
However, both batsmen were run out and, having scored 39 runs from their first three overs, the Rhinos failed to get 31 from the last four and lost by nine runs (D/L method).
Okuhle Cele (2-7 in two overs) and Aaron Phangiso (2-10 in two overs) was impressive with the ball for the Titans.
The Titans had reached 38-3 after five overs in a match initially reduced to 17 overs a side when rain forced the players from the field.
After play resumed, they smashed 28 runs from their remaining two overs – thanks to Don Ferreira (17* off six balls) and Sibz Makhanya (12* off four) – to finish on 66-4.
While only four runs were added to the Titans’ total according to the D/L method, the Rhinos failed to capitalise and finished on 60-6.
Having lost to the Knights on Tuesday, the Titans will still need to beat the Pietermaritzburg-based Tuskers on Thursday to reach the knockout stage.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Knights beat the Tuskers by 34 runs.
Rilee Rossouw hit 67 off 47 balls and Farhaan Behardien 54 off 42 as the Knights posted 154-5 in 20 overs.
Thula Ngcobo was the Tuskers’ best bowler, taking 2-26 in four overs.
The Tuskers were bowled out for 120, with Kyle Nipper scoring 23 and Cameron Delport 18.
Migael Pretorius took 3-32 in his four overs for the Knights.
Photo: Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images
