Pretoria Capitals confirm top spot as MI Cape Town suffer semi-finals blow

A remarkable finale sees the Capitals get over the line via the final delivery of the match to all but end MI's campaign before the knockout stage

mipc040201-min

Centurion: MI Cape Town 159, Pretoria Capitals 160-9 - Pretoria Capitals won by one wicket

Scorecard

MI Cape Town are on the brink of crashing out of the SA20 after an agonising defeat to Pretoria Capitals at Centurion.

In a thrilling finale, Josh Little struck the winning runs via the last delivery of the match off Sam Curran to secure a one-wicket win.

Capitals, who will progress to the semi-finals as the group winners, were 114 for 3 chasing 160 and looked to be strolling to victory.

But they lost three wickets for four runs to leave the tail with the job of getting them over the line.

Senuran Muthusamy (25) was dismissed by Curran to leave Capitals nine wickets down and still needing two to win from the final three deliveries.

smitho040201-min

Odean Smith claimed two wickets in an over to peg back Capitals (Sportzpix)

Two dots from the England allrounder set up a grandstand finale but a full toss allowed Little to slash the ball over the infield.

MI remain bottom of the SA20 table, needing results to go their way - as well as capturing all five points from their final match against Joburg Super Kings - to progress to the knockout phase.

They too had put themselves in a strong position with the bat, reaching 107 for 3 in the 12th over.

But Rassie van der Dussen (51), Tim David (3) and George Linde (14) fell in quick succession.

Rashid Khan struck 14 not out but MI were castled for 159 with four balls left unbowled.

currans040201-min

Sam Curran dragged MI back into the contest but it wasn't enough (Sportzpix)

Phil Salt (9) and Kusal Mendis (39) put on a 50-run opening stand before three wickets fell in the space of seven balls.

Another clatter of wickets set up an exciting climax, with Rossouw (40), Shane Dadswell (16) and Jimmy Neesham (0) exiting in the space of eight balls.

Capitals needed 12 off the final two overs and Muthusamy appeared to put the result beyond doubt with a maximum off Odean Smith.

Curran had three to defend off the last but MI had renewed hope when Muthusamy picked out Dewald Brevis with two still required.

Having dragged his side back into the contest, Curran's radar went askew allowing Little to ping the ball away into the offside to secure a victory which leaves MI's last four hopes in the gutter.


Related Topics

Comments

THE CRICKETER NEWSLETTER Get all the latest cricket news to your inbox, twice a week SIGN UP

Thank You! Thank you for subscribing!

LATEST NEWS

SERIES/COMPETITIONS

LOADING

STATS

Units 7-8, 35-37 High St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough, LE128PY

website@thecricketer.com

Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.