Tabraiz Shamsi took a hat-trick as the Northerns Titans thrashed the KZN Dolphins by six wickets in the first T20 Challenge semi-final at St George’s Park on Friday.

The Proteas spinner had Ruan de Swardt caught for 10 off the fifth ball of his first over and bowled Bryce Parsons with his next delivery.

Shamsi then completed his hat-trick by bowling Andile Phehlukwayo with the first ball of his second over.

At that stage, the Dolphins were 27-6 in the 10th over, and that they were ultimately able to post 93-8 in 20 overs was down to the efforts of Khaya Zondo (33), Eathan Bosch (12) and Prenelan Subrayen (13*).

However, it was never going to be enough, even when Titans opener Quinton de Kock was bowled for a first-ball duck.

Theunis de Bruyn hit 18 off 12 balls and Dewald Brevis top-scored with 38 off 30, before Sibonelo Makhanya (18* off 11) helped finish off the Dolphins with 5.5 overs remaining.