MICT Advances to SA20 Final After 39-Run Win

MI Cape Town (MICT) secured a spot in the SA20 final, defeating Paarl Royals (PR) by 39 runs in Gqeberha. The match will be played on Saturday, February 8, at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

Strong MICT Top Order

The top order of MICT, in excellent form throughout the tournament, provided a fantastic start with an 87-run opening stand between Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton. They targeted young Kwena Maphaka, who began with five wides and conceded 15 runs in his second over. Bjorn Fortuin faced similar treatment, with three sixes hit off him in the following over.

MICT's momentum continued after the PowerPlay, with Dayyaan Galiem dismissing van der Dussen. Dunith Wellalage picked up two wickets, including Rickelton, in the next over. George Linde hit three sixes before being dismissed by Fortuin. Dewald Brevis then smashed two sixes off Galiem, as MICT scored 44 runs in the last two overs, ending on 199/4.

Royals' Struggle

PR started strong, scoring 21 runs in the first over against Trent Boult. However, Kagiso Rabada dismissed Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Boult took Owen's wicket in his next over. Rubin Hermann was picked up by Bosch, leaving the Royals with three wickets down in the PowerPlay.

David Miller (45) and Dinesh Karthik (31) were the only notable contributors for the Royals, but both fell at crucial moments as MICT inched closer to victory. Rashid Khan, MICT's captain, took his 632nd T20 wicket, dismissing Wellalage, a significant milestone for the 26-year-old from Nangarhar. The Royals were bowled out for 160, with all MICT bowlers contributing to the wickets.

Royals' Recent Struggles

Since Joe Root's departure, the Royals have lost all their games, including their last three matches. They will have another opportunity in Qualifier 2, facing the winner of the Eliminator between the Joburg Super Kings and the Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

Brief Scores:

• MI Cape Town: 199/4 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 44, Dewald Brevis 44*; Dunith Wellalage 2-23)
• Paarl Royals: 160 in 19.4 overs (David Miller 45, Dinesh Karthik 31; Kagiso Rabada 2-18, Rashid Khan 2-33)