The DP World Lions secured their spot in the YesPlay Pro20 Cup final against the Dafabet Warriors with a 16-run victory over YesPlay Western Province Cobras at YesPlay Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions set up their victory by posting 194 for six, with a career-best from opener Onkgomoditse Seletswane after Bjorn Fortuin had won the toss and elected to bat first. Seletswane struck seven boundaries and three maximums from 53 balls before falling for 78.
In reply, the Cobras were restricted to 178 for eight, with captain George Linde top-scoring with 59, although the home side will feel slightly aggrieved at two umpiring decisions they felt went against them.
However, Seletswane played a wonderful innings, helping the Lions to a solid start with Fortuin (29) as the pair added 42 for the first wicket from 30 balls. Fortuin though was well caught by Daniel Smith from the bowling of Raeeq Daniels (3-0-26-2) which brought Rassie van der Dussen to the crease.
Van der Dussen (24) struck just one four and a six in a quiet 22-ball innings before fireworks from Connor Esterhuizen. The Lions keeper faced just 16 deliveries but struck four boundaries and two sixes before being dismissed for 38.
Once Seletswane was dismissed, the Lions' batting onslaught faded a bit, giving the Cobras a stiff target to chase.
The hosts had fits and starts with Jiveshan Pillay (25) and Kashief Josephs (20) unable to kick on. Kyle Verreynne (24) was looking set to push the hosts forward after striking two boundaries and a six but was then adjudged leg before by umpire Mazizi Gampu to the spin of Nqaba Peter (4-0-45-2) with the ball seeming to miss leg stump.
Despite the loss of Verreynne, Linde worked the ball around the park, turning singles into twos and picking up boundaries at crucial moments, despite the fact that his partner, Smith (20), was struggling to keep up with the rate.
Smith departed after facing 22 balls, caught by Fortuin in the covers off the bowling of Siya Plaatjie (4-0-37-2). Linde, who had just gone to his sixth T20 fifty, was then given out caught behind by Esterhuizen from the bowling of Peter. However, Linde was clearly annoyed at the decision by umpire Gampu as replays showed that Linde had struck the ground.
Once Linde departed, the chase was all over bar the shouting. Oliver Whitehead (13) struck his first ball for six but was run out going for a second run. Josh Breed was also run out for a single while Mihlali Mpongwana was caught in the deep for just one.
Sinalo Gobeni (3 not out) and Daniels (2 not out) were not able to find the 25 runs required for victory from the final six balls, handing the Lions victory and a place in the final against the defending champions, the Warriors.
LIONS: Richard Seletswane, Bjorn Fortuin (capt), Rassie van der Dussen, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Mitchell van Burren, Delano Potgieter, Muhammad Manack, Gerald Coetzee, Nqabayomzi Peter, Codi Yusuf, Siya Plaatjie.
COBRAS: Jiveshan Pillay, Kashief Josephs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Daniel Smith, George Linde (capt), Mihlali Mpongwana, Oliver Whitehead, Josh Breed, Raeeq Daniels, Sinalo Gobeni, Tshepo Moreki .