Pretoria Capitals beat MI Cape Town in a last-over cliffhanger
Jimmy Neesham and Phil Salt (Source: Twitter)
Senuran Muthusamy kept his calm as Pretoria Capitals beat MI Cape Town by one wicket in Match 26 of the ongoing SA20 League at Super Sports Park in Centurion. MI Cape Town is almost out of the tournament, while Pretoria Capitals strengthen their top spot with another win.
Cape Town manages a formidable 159
After being asked to bat first, MI Cape Town could only manage a 159, but with the pitch having enough assistance for the bowlers, it was a good total for the bowlers to defend. Rassie van der Dussen continued to score runs as he smashed a 29-ball 51. The visitors got off to a decent start, scoring 45 in the first six overs but lost two wickets as well.
Dewald Brevis, at four, tried to up the scoring rate but was soon beaten by the sheer pace of Nortje after the powerplay. However, van der Dussen continued the onslaught and Cape Town were 100 for three at the end of eleven overs.
Just when MICT were looking to set a big target, they lost van der Dussen and wickets started to fall like a pack of cards from both ends. The hosts went on to bowl out Cape Town for 159 on the board. Anrich Nortje was once again amongst the wicket takers. Jimmy Neesham and Eathan Bosch bowled well as well, grabbing a couple each.
Muthusamy hold nerves to get Pretoria over the line
Senuran Muthusamy (Source: Twitter)
Chasing 160, Pretoria Capitals got off to a good start but lost both of their openers in the last over of the powerplay with 53 on the board. They further lost Theunis de Bruyn in the very first ball after the powerplay, but Rilee Rossouw, at four, kept Capitals in the chase.
Rossouw departed after scoring a quick 38 off 19 and the Capitals suffered a minor collapse as they were reduced from 114 for three to 115 for six in the next seven balls. Senuran Muthusamy held one end and kept the scoreboard going. Muthusamy showed great composure and contributed a valuable 25 off 23.
The game went on till the last ball with two needed from one and Joshua Little, at eleven, scored the winning runs to get Pretoria over the line.
Brief Scores
MI Cape Town: 159/10 (20 Overs)
Rassie van der Dussen 51 (29), Wesley Marshall 16 (13);
Jimmy Neesham 2/26, Anrich Nortje 2/37
Pretoria Capitals: 160/9 (20 Overs)
Rilee Rossouw 40 (19), Kusal Mendis 39 (25);
Sam Curran 3/26, Odean Smith 2/34
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