MI Cape Town booked their first appearance in a SA20 final with a 39-run victory over the Paarl Royals in the first qualifier playoff at St George’s Park on Tuesday.
Robin Peterson’s team were superior in all facets from the moment they were inserted by Royals skipper David Miller.
The opening batsmen Ryan Rickelton (44 off 27 balls) and Rassie van der Dussen (40 off 32) laid the platform for the imposing 199-4 with an impressive 87-run opening stand in just 9.2 overs.
The Royals staged a mini fightback by picking up three wickets for the addition of just six runs to leave MI Cape Town at 91-3.
The momentum, however, swung back in favour of the table-toppers, with George Linde smashing three sixes in his 14-ball 26.
With the Royals losing their discipline with a couple of waist high full tosses that saw Dayyaan Galiem being forced out of the attack, it allowed Dewald Brevis (44* off 30 balls) and Delano Potgieter (32* off 17 balls) to add 74 runs in the last five overs.
HIGHLIGHTS: MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals (SA20)
The Royals began their run chase in a positive manner with Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Mitchell Owen taking 21 runs off Trent Boult’s opening over.
Pretorius’ cameo (15 off six balls) was quickly brought to an end by Kagiso Rabada, though.
The Royals were unable to build up any momentum from thereon with only captain David Miller offering up any resistance with a 26-ball 45.
There were further celebrations for MI Cape Town when captain Rashid Khan became the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket when he went past West Indian Dwayne Bravo by clean bowling Royals all-rounder Dunith Wellalage.
The Royals will have another opportunity to reach the final in Thursday’s second qualifier playoff in Centurion.
Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportzpics
