Rilee Rossouw hit 40 off 19 balls as the Pretoria Capitals beat MI Cape Town by one wicket in Centurion on Saturday.
The Capitals required a hobbling captain Wayne Parnell and last man Josh Little to scamper through off Sam Curran’s final delivery to take the hosts past MI Cape Town’s 159 all out.
Parnell had earlier left the field after 2.1 overs with a groin injury, but the skipper courageously came out at No 10 to take his team over the line.
DRAMA ?
Pretoria Capitals with an injured Wayne Parnell beat MI Cape Town by one wicket on the final ball!
It means MI Cape Town are out of the #Betway #SA20 play-offs. pic.twitter.com/k1j11jf5ji
— SuperSport ? (@SuperSportTV) February 4, 2023
The MI Cape Town bowling unit had tried to keep their team in contention throughout with Parnell’s counterpart Rashid Khan delivering a fine spell of spin bowling. Rashid conceded just 17 runs in his four overs and picked up the wicket of Theunis de Bruyn.
England international Curran also delivered a wholehearted performance to finish with 3-23 and kept MI Cape Town in the contest until the very last ball.
The Pretoria Capital’s run-chase began in sublime fashion with Kusal Mendis (39 off 25 balls) enjoying the conditions, but only Man of the Match Rossouw and Senuran Muthusamy (25 off 23 balls) made worthwhile contributions.
Rassie van der Dussen had earlier laid the platform for MI Cape Town with 51 off 26 balls, but the Proteas batsman didn’t get support from any of his teammates.
This was due to Parnell’s impressive opening two overs, while Anrich Nortje steamed in from the Pavilion End with one of his deliveries being timed at 150km/h.
His battle with MI Cape Town teenage star Dewald Brevis was one of the highlights of the match. Nortje emerged victorious in that contest with Brevis feathering a catch behind.
Pace + Bounce = Anrich Nortje wicket ?#Betway #SA20 #PCvMICT @Betway_India pic.twitter.com/TSFwzxSaE5
— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) February 4, 2023
Nortje cranked up the speed gun even further with a 152km/h delivery that rearranged Tim David’s stumps as he finished with 2-37.
Eathan Bosh ended with identical figures, while James Neesham claimed 2-26.
MI Cape Town are rooted to the basement of the table with 13 points and require a mathematical miracle to qualify for the semi-finals with just one match remaining against the Joburg Super Kings at the Wanderers on Monday.
