
MICT vs PR (Match 01) – Highlights
MI Cape Town produced a clinical display in the SA20 Qualifier 1 to secure a comprehensive 39-run win over the Paarl Royals at Gqeberha. Cape Town secured their slot in the final with a strong showing with the bat, along with disciplined bowling that left the Royals with a final shot out in the eliminator.
MICT had decided to bat first and laid out their violent cards right up front. Opener Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen gave South Africa a solid start by sharing an 87-run partnership. It was Rickelton who was especially fluent, clattering 44 off 27 with four fours and two sixes before Dunith Wellalage broke the partnership by removing van der Dussen for 40.
The momentum was carried on by the middle order with Dewald Brevis providing the anchor. His unbeaten 44 from 30 balls, including four sixes, kept the run rate intact for the team. George Linde chipped in with a rapid 26 off 14 balls, but the fireworks in the real sense belonged to Delano Potgieter. The all-rounder scored an explosive 32 not out off merely 17 balls which included 4 fours and a six, and propelled MI Cape Town towards a daunting 199/4 in their respective 20 overs.
Wellalage was the pick of the Royals’ bowlers, returning 2/23 in his four-over spell while Bjorn Fortuin and Dayyaan Galiem each took one wicket. Rest of the attack, though, failed to rein in the Cape Town batting avalanche as was evidenced by Kwena Maphaka returning with figures of 0 for 49 in his 4 overs.
There had never really been a hope in chasing 200, and the PR innings began shakily. Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Mitchell Owen in particular opened up their shoulders early before succumbing cheaply. Rubin Hermann’s on and off field struggles continued as he only made it to two runs before his partner Corbin Bosch sent him packing.
Captain David Miller spearheaded the fight with a fighting 45 off just 26 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. He was ably supported by Dinesh Karthik, who made 31 off 28 balls. The duo ensured Royals remain in the hunt but regular fall of wickets at the other end made things difficult for them. Rashid Khan bowled Wellalage, who had earlier starred with the ball, for 15 runs, to further damage the chase.
MICT bowling attack kept hitting the right markers as the pressure grew. Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan each took two wickets while Boult, Bosch and Linde struck at key junctures. The lower order of the Royals, however, could not provide the needed late flourish and the innings crumbled to 160 in 19.4 overs, falling 39 runs short of the target.
The Player of the match went to Delano Potgieter because of his excellent all-round performance and his late onslaught in the first innings ended up being decisive. On the bowling front, Rabada set himself apart with a highly economical 2/18 from four overs. His exacting line and length smothered the scoring opportunities for the Royals, and so Cape Town’s comfortable victory.
MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals Scoreboard
MI Cape Town – 199/4 (20.0)
Paarl Royals – 160 (19.4/20)
Result – MI Cape Town won by 39 runs
Player of the match – Delano Potgieter

MICT vs PR Playing XIs
MI Cape Town
Ryan Rickelton(WK), Rassie van der Dussen, Dewald Brevis, Sediqullah Atal, George Linde, Delano Potgieter, Reeza Hendricks, Corbin Bosch, Rashid Khan(C), Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult.
Paarl Royals
Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Mitchell Owen, Rubin Hermann, Dayyaan Galiem, Dunith Wellalage, David Miller(C), Dinesh Karthik(WK), Andile Phehlukwayo, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Bjorn Fortuin, Kwena Maphaka.
Disclaimer: These match highlights reflect the author’s insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the points discussed and form their own conclusions.