By Tim Douglas 
MI Cape Town stormed into the SA20 playoffs for the first time with a flawless performance, crushing Sunrisers Eastern Cape by 10 wickets at Newlands.
The victory not only confirmed MI Cape Town’s spot in the knockout stages but also secured them a top-two finish. They will now face Paarl Royals in the first Qualifier at St George’s Park on February 4, with the winner booking a direct ticket to the final at the Wanderers on February 8.
Spectacular Fielding Sets the Tone for MI Cape Town
MI Cape Town made their intentions clear from the outset with an electric display in the field. Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, and Reeza Hendricks pulled off stunning catches, keeping the pressure on Sunrisers Eastern Cape throughout their innings.
Brevis’ acrobatic, one-handed catch near the boundary left the Newlands crowd in awe and further emphasized the team’s sharpness in the field.
“Fielding is a game-changer, especially in T20 cricket,” said MI Cape Town skipper Rashid Khan. “We had spoken about maintaining our intensity, and the effort the boys put in was outstanding. It gave us the edge today.”
Bosch and Rabada Decimate Sunrisers’ Batting Lineup
Inspired by their fielding heroics, MI Cape Town’s bowlers dominated from the very first over. Corbin Bosch registered his best SA20 figures, claiming 4/19, while Kagiso Rabada delivered a clinical spell, finishing with 2/14.
David Bedingham (45 off 45 balls) was the lone warrior for Sunrisers Eastern Cape, as wickets tumbled around him. His new opening partner, Tony de Zorzi, who was making his debut for the defending champions, fell early to Rabada, setting the tone for a difficult innings.
The Sunrisers could only muster 109 before being bowled out, a total that never looked like challenging the in-form MI Cape Town batting lineup.
Rickelton and Van der Dussen Seal Victory in Style
Needing just 110 to win, MI Cape Town’s chase was a walk in the park. Openers Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen dismantled the Sunrisers’ bowling attack with ease, ensuring a 10-wicket victory.
Van der Dussen showed early aggression, taking Marco Jansen for a boundary and six in the very first over. Rickelton, continuing his love affair with Newlands, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls (8 fours, 1 six).
Van der Dussen remained not out on 48 off 30 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes), just two runs shy of a well-deserved half-century, as MI Cape Town cruised home in just 12.2 overs.
What’s Next?
MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals (Qualifier 1): The two Western Cape giants will battle for a place in the final.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s Final League Match: They face Paarl Royals in a must-win clash to secure their own playoff spot.