The men in orange kept their nerve to secure a four-wicket victory over MI Cape Town, thanks to crucial contributions from Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs, after a disciplined bowling display kept Cape Town contained
Gqeberha: MI Cape Town 158-8, Sunrisers Eastern Cape 162-6 - Sunrisers Eastern Cape won by four wickets
Sunrisers Eastern Cape are off the mark in the SA20, and off the bottom of the league table.
The men in orange kept their nerve to secure a four-wicket victory over MI Cape Town, thanks to crucial contributions from Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs, after a disciplined bowling display kept Cape Town contained.
Markram, the Sunrisers captain, hit 50 from 35 balls to stabilise the middle order, while Stubbs added 30 in 18 late on to inject momentum after his side briefly appeared as though they had slipped in pursuit of 159 for for victory at St George's Park.
It meant that the four points were secured with three balls to spare, as James Fuller hit the second and third deliveries of the final over - bowled by Odean Smith - for four, sparking scenes of celebration in Gqeberha.
Aiden Markram made an important half-century for Sunrisers Eastern Cape [Sportzpics/CSA/SA20]
George Linde's excellent hitting was in vain for MI Cape Town [Sportzpics/CSA/SA20]
Earlier, MI Cape Town struggled in the first half of their innings, losing wickets at regular intervals.
They scored at less than a run a ball during the first 10 overs, losing four wickets in the process, leaving the lower middle order plenty to do to elevate the score to something of substance.
That the visitors did just that was testament to the hitting power of George Linde, the allrounder, who crashed five sixes in his 28-ball 63.
With only one other batsman breaking 15 - Rassie van der Dussen, with 29 from 22 balls - Linde's role was crucial in Cape Town's bowlers having a score to defend.
Sisanda Magala returned miserly figures of 2 for 22 from his four overs for Sunrisers, for whom Markram took 2 for 8 in two.
In response, both Eastern Cape openers were back on the bench within two-and-a-half overs, but Markram and Sarel Erwee made sure there was no collapse.
Erwee put together a composed 35-ball 41, as the pair shared a third-wicket stand worth 92 in 9.4 overs. When he was dismissed, however, lbw to Rashid Khan, the wobble began.
From 101 for 2, Sunrisers soon sound themselves 109 for 5, and the required rate was approaching 12 per over when Stubbs began to loosen the reins. Two boundaries off Sam Curran in the 19th over gave his team breathing space and, although he got an inside edge through to Grant Roelofsen from the first delivery of the 20th, enough of a dent had been made.
Tristan Stubbs played a crucial role at the death [Sportzpics/CSA/SA20]
Odean Smith with ball in hand for MI Cape Town [Sportzpics/CSA/SA20]
Lift-off for Sunrisers. MI Cape Town will seek quick redemption when the two teams meet again, this time at Newlands, on Wednesday (January 18).
"It's a big relief. We made it a bit tough in the end but I'm really glad to get over the line but I think it's going to give the boys a lot of confidence and happiness," Markram said afterwards.
"I get really nervous. The worse part is sitting on the side and you can't make an impact. That fires you up a bit more for next time, to stay out in the middle.
"The bowlers did a great job. They've had two tough games and their margins of error have been quite small. I felt 160 was probably a par score, so to restrict them under that is a credit to them.
"I still think there's areas to improve on. If we can get those small things right, we can only get better."
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