MI Cape Town just about keep their playoff hopes alive following their victory over Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
In their final home game of the season, MI Cape Town defeated Sunrisers Eastern Cape in a nerve-wracking victory to maintain their modest hopes of making it to the SA20 playoffs. The reigning champions’ chances now depend on the Super Giants of Durban and the Johannesburg Super Kings losing their next games. Saturday’s match between those two teams could decide MICT’s fate in this turbulent competition. They had only won twice at home all season and just three times in nine games.
After a spell of inconsistency, their bowlers performed well, with Trent Boult taking 3 for 28 in his best performance of the season. Corbin Bosch, whose 4 for 34 helped hold the Sunrisers to 139 for 9, provided him some support. Although Sunrisers made a mockery of it, Reeza Hendricks’ 43-ball 41 held MICT together amid a barrage of wickets. Sunrisers had never before defended a target that low in the SA20; 148 was the norm for them. Senuran Muthusamy and Marco Jansen each scored two, depriving MICT of a bonus point.
MICT was 114 for 4, 26 runs from victory, after 16 overs. This meant they would not get a bonus point, which affected their chances of making the playoffs. MI advanced to the playoffs despite losing both of their games against the Pretoria Capitals this season. Sunrises, Paarl Royals, and Capitals are the three confirmed playoff teams; MICT, Johannesburg Super Kings, and Durban’s Super Giants are vying for the final slot.