Updated 10 hrs ago • Published 13-Aug-2022
Capitals sneak home by one wicket to put MICT on brink of elimination
Pretoria Capitals 160 for 9 (Rossouw 40, Mendis 39, Curran 3-26) beat MI Cape Town 159 all out (van der Dussen 51, Neesham 2-26) by one wicket
MI Cape Town were all but eliminated from play-off contention in the SA20 after a nail-biting clash against Pretoria Capitals in Centurion. Capitals sneaked home by one wicket on the final ball, chasing a target of 160.
After winning the toss, Pretoria Capitals opted to field first, but found themselves under pressure thanks to a blistering start by MICT, spearheaded by a 29-ball 51 by Rassie van der Dussen. Cameos by Wesley Marshall and Dewald Brevis ensured MICT maintained a healthy run rate, but Capitals’ bowlers brought their side back in.
Wayne Parnell was especially economical before injury forced him off (he was required to hop through for the winning runs at the end). But nearly every bowler chipped in with wickets, with Eathan Bosch, Anrich Nortje and James Neesham taking two wickets apiece. MICT lost their last seven wickets for 52 runs, and were bowled out with two balls to spare for 159.
Kusal Mendis got Capitals off to a flyer of their own, bringing up the 50 inside five overs. But Sam Curran, who has struggled so far in the competition, removed both openers inside five balls before Rashid Khan dismissed Theunis de Bruyn to stymie Capitals’ progress. An entertaining knock by Rilee Rossouw – 40 off 19 – put Parnell’s side well ahead on the rate with plenty of wickets left in the tank.
But there was a huge stumble to follow. Capitals lost three wickets for one run in four balls to suddenly find themselves reduced to 114 for 6, and facing the realistic possibility of being bowled out. Senuran Muthuswamy appeared to be guiding his side home safely, but with three runs to get, he holed out to backward point, leaving Capitals nine wickets down.
It came down to the final ball. Curran missed his yorker as No. 11 Josh Little squirted it through the off side to scurry back for a couple and put MI Cape Town on the brink.