MI Cape Town beat Paarl Royals, stormed into the SA20 final for the first time

MI Cape Town stormed into the SA20 final for the first time with a commanding 39-run victory over Paarl Royals in the Qualifier One at St George’s Park. A dominant performance across all departments, led by Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Kagiso Rabada, and Rashid Khan, ensured their direct qualification to the summit clash.

Batting first after Royals’ skipper David Miller opted to field, MI Cape Town got off to a flying start. Openers Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen laid a solid foundation, putting up an 87-run partnership in just 9.2 overs. Rickelton scored a brisk 44 off 27 balls, smashing three fours and two sixes, while van der Dussen contributed 40 from 32 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. However, Paarl Royals briefly fought back, claiming three wickets for just six runs to reduce MI Cape Town to 91/3.

George Linde swung the momentum back in MI Cape Town’s favor with a quickfire 26 off 14 balls, hitting three sixes. The Royals struggled with their bowling discipline, conceding multiple waist-high full tosses, leading to Dayyaan Galiem being forced out of the attack. Capitalizing on the situation, Dewald Brevis (44 not out off 30 balls, four sixes) and Delano Potgieter (32 not out off 17 balls, four fours and a six) accelerated in the final overs, adding 74 runs in the last five overs to take the total to an imposing 199/4.

Paarl Royals started their chase positively, taking 21 runs off Trent Boult’s first over. Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who hit 15 off just six balls with two fours and a six, was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada, stalling their momentum. While captain David Miller tried to hold the innings together with a fighting 45 off 26 balls (four boundaries and a six), and wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik chipped in with 31 off 28 balls (five fours), the Royals never recovered fully.

Rashid Khan created history by becoming the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket, surpassing West Indian legend Dwayne Bravo when he bowled Royals’ all-rounder Dunith Wellalage. The milestone added to MI Cape Town’s celebrations as they sealed their place in the final. Potgieter was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his all-round contribution.

With this win, MI Cape Town advances directly to Saturday’s final at the Wanderers. Meanwhile, Paarl Royals get another chance to reach the final as they play in Qualifier Two on Thursday at Centurion.