• MI Cape Town crush Pretoria Capitals

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    MI Cape Town underlined their status as the SA20 team to beat this season with a comprehensive victory over the Pretoria Capitals at at Newlands on Sunday.

    Robin Peterson’s team followed in the Paarl Royals’ footsteps by becoming the second team to preserve an unbeaten home record with five victories at the foot of Table Mountain.

    MI Cape Town finished on 35 points – a record points tally after the league phase – due to their 95-run victory over the Capitals.

    Despite making six changes to their lineup, the home team dominated the contest from the outset.

    The new opening pair of Sediqullah Atal and Connor Esterhuizen displayed MI Cape Town’s formidable depth with a stunning 133-run stand for the first wicket.

    Left-hander Sediqullah royally entertained the Newlands crowd with a dashing 46-ball 77 (four fours, six sixes), while Esterhuizen pummelled 69 off 43 balls (six fours, three sixes).

    Delano Potgieter added the extras with a 15-ball 26 to power the hosts to 201-5 – the highest total at Newlands this season.

    The momentum flowed through to MI Cape Town’s bowling unit with off-spinner Dane Piedt sensationally having Capitals opener Will Jacks caught behind off the very first ball of the reply.

    Piedt, who was making his SA20 debut for his home town team, celebrated in wild fashion by running away to the Railway Stand in ecstasy.

    The veteran off-spinner was in fine form as he picked up two further wickets to finish with the impressive figures of 3-28, which earned him the Man of the Match award.

    “It has been amazing. I have grown up here. Played in front of my wife, son and parents,” said Piedt.

    “I keep the guys motivated. I try to create good energy and get the guys to express themselves. I have been watching this from afar. But it has been amazing. This is what we have been calling out for. Can’t drop a Man of the Match.”

    The MI Cape Town spinners were in fine form with leg-spinner Thomas Kaber bagging 3-21, while left-arm spinner George Linde also claimed 2-11.

    Collectively, the spin trio claimed 8-60 to dismiss the Capitals for just 106 in 14 overs.

    HIGHLIGHTS: MI Cape Town vs Pretoria Capitals (SA20)

    MI Cape Town now travel to Gqeberha to face Paarl Royals in the first qualifier playoff at St George’s Park on Tuesday.

    The winner advances straight through to the final at the Wanderers on Saturday.

    Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportzpics

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    Simon Borchardt