Capitals ensure SA20 semifinal spot with nervy win over MI Cape Town

The Pretoria Capitals have ensured their spot in the Betway SA20 semifinals following a thrilling one-wicket win against MI Cape Town at Centurion on Saturday.

Chasing a modest 160 to win, the hosts got off to belter of a start thanks to a 50-run opening stand between Kusal Mendis and Phil Salt.

Sam Curran eventually broke their partnership as Salt mistimed to Kagiso Rabada at mid-on to depart for nine.

In the same over, Curran bowled Mendis out for 39 off 25 balls (seven fours and a six), with the Capitals having to rebuild from a stellar start.

Skipper Rashid Khan struck immediately as Theunis de Bruyn edged to slip for a duck.

The hosts started to look like they were back in cruise control with a 66-run partnership between Rilee Rossouw and Shane Dadswell.

DRAMA ??

Pretoria Capitals with an injured Wayne Parnell beat MI Cape Town by one wicket on the final ball!

It means MI Cape Town are out of the #Betway #SA20 play-offs. pic.twitter.com/k1j11jf5ji

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) February 4, 2023

Rossouw top-scored for the Capitals as he made a quick-fire 40 off just 19 balls (hitting two fours and four sixes) before he was caught off Rabada.

West Indian allrounder Odean Smith struck twice for MI Cape Town as he dismissed Daswell for 16 and got Jimmy Neesham to edge behind for a duck.

Wickets were tumbling for the Capitals as Duan Jansen picked up the tail, dismissing Eathon Bosch for three and Anrich Nortje for 10.

With the Capitals soon needing a run-ball 12 off the last two overs and eight wickets down, things were looking up with Senuran Muthusamy in the middle.

However, needing just three off the final over, Muthusamy chopped to Brevis at backward point off Curran and departed for 25.

Needing two runs off the final ball, injured Wayne Parnell hit the winning runs as the Capitals sealed a thrilling victory in Pretoria.

Earlier on, Rassie van der Dussen's half-century was the only MI Cape Town innings of note as the opener stood tall as the visitors collapsed to 159 all out.

After being sent in to bat, Pretoria Capitals struck early with the wicket of debutant opener Wesley Marshall for 16.

Van der Dussen top-scored with 51 off 29 balls (hitting four fours and four sixes) before Eathan Bosch bowled him.

Before Van der Dussen's departure, MI Cape Town were 107-3 and eventually crumbled under superb bowling from the Pretoria Capitals.

Jimmy Neesham took 2-26, while Eathan Bosch and Anrich Nortje both ended on figures for 2-37.

PRETORIA CAPITALS : Phil Salt, Kusal Mendis, Theunis de Bruyn, Rilee Rossouw, Shane Dadswell, James Neesham, Wayne Parnell (captain), Senuran Muthusamy, Eathan Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Josh Little

MI CAPE TOWN: Dewald Brevis, Tim David, Wesley Marshall, Grant Roelofsen, Rassie van der Dussen, George Linde, Rashid Khan (captain), Odean Smith, Sam Curran, Duan Jansen, Kagiso Rabada