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PIX: Rabada shines as MI Cape Town win maiden SA20 crown

Last updated on: February 09, 2025 13:33 IST

The triumphant MI CapeTown players pose with the SA20 trophy after beating Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the final at the Wanderers, in Johannesburg, on Saturday.

IMAGE: The triumphant MI Cape Town players pose with the SA20 trophy after beating Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the final at the Wanderers, in Johannesburg, on Saturday. Photograph: BetwaySA20

Pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada produced an inspired bowling performance to lead MI Cape Town to their maiden SA20 title with a comfortable 76 runs victory over two-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the final at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Saturday.

After finishing last in the previous two seasons, the Rashid Khan-led MI Cape Town hardly put any foot wrong in the third season.

Rabada claimed four wickets for 25 runs in 3.4 overs as Sunrisers Eastern Cape were dismissed for just 105 in response to MI Cape Town's 181 for 8 -- the second-highest score in an SA20 final.

Akash Ambani, owner of MI Cape Town, and skipper Rashid Khan with trophy.

IMAGE: Akash Ambani, owner of MI Cape Town, and skipper Rashid Khan with the trophy. Photograph: BetwaySA20

Rabada was ably supported by player-of-the-match Trent Boult, who took two wickets for just nine runs from his four overs, spin twins George Linde (2/20) and skipper Rashid (1/19).

Chasing 182, the Aiden Markram-led Sunrisers, which registered consecutive wins over Joburg Super Kings and Paarl Royals in the last two matches, could not maintain the momentum and except Tom Abell and Tony de Zorzi no other batter could live up to expectations.

Leg-spinner Rashid, who surprised the cricket world by leading Afghanistan to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup last year, added another feather in his already illustrious career.

MI Cape Town pacer Kagiso Rabada celebrates dismissing Sunrisers Eastern Cape's Marco Jansen.

IMAGE: MI Cape Town pacer Kagiso Rabada celebrates dismissing Sunrisers Eastern Cape's Marco Jansen. Photograph: BetwaySA20

Earlier, in the same tournament, he became the highest wicket-taker in the T20 format.

High on confidence after five wins on the trot before the final, MI Cape Town won the toss and chose to bat.

In-form Ryan Rickelton (33 off 15; 1x4, 4x6s) and Rassie van der Dussen (23 off 25; 2x6s) showed their intent from the onset, giving an aggressive start to MI Cape Town's innings.

Rashid Khan takes the catch to dismiss Marco Jansen.

IMAGE: Rashid Khan takes the catch to dismiss Marco Jansen. Photograph: BetwaySA20

Craig Overton bowled an economical first over in which only three runs came but in the second over Rickelton smashed sixes over deep third man and fine-leg besides a straight four over Marco Jansen's head.

Overton too was not spared as Van der Dussen hit a six over square leg while Rickelton continued his attacking game against Jansen by hitting two brilliant sixes in the fourth over.

Dewald Brevis hit 2 fours and 4 sixes while scoring 38 off 18 for MI Cape Town.

IMAGE: Dewald Brevis hit 2 fours and 4 sixes while scoring 38 off 18 for MI Cape Town. Photograph: BetwaySA20

But MI Cape Town suffered consecutive blows, which gave Sunrisers a chance to make a comeback in the game.

Rickelton was the first to depart, deceived by a slower ball from Overton and Liam Gleeson took a fine catch.

In the very next over, Liam Dawson dismissed Reeza Hendricks, who failed to open his account.

MI scored 52 runs for the loss of two wickets in the Powerplay.

Marco Jansen celebrates dismissing Dewald Brevis

IMAGE: Marco Jansen celebrates dismissing Dewald Brevis. Photograph: BetwaySA20

The wickets stemmed the flow of runs as left-arm wrist spinner Dawson gave only four runs in the seventh over.

Van der Dussen looked uncomfortable from the beginning and was the next to depart stumped by Tristan Stubbs off Dawson in the ninth over.

In an effort to break the shackles, George Linde (20 off 14; 3x6s) hit Sunrisers captain Markram for a four in the 10th over.

In the next over, he hit Dawson over his head and then a six over long off followed by a four, but perished in the last ball in search of another big shot, caught by Overton at long off.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape's Tom Abell and Tony de Zorzi during their 57-run partnership for the third wicket.

IMAGE: Sunrisers Eastern Cape's Tom Abell and Tony de Zorzi during their 57-run partnership for the third wicket. Photograph: BetwaySA20

MI Cape Town regained their composure through a couple of middle-order partnerships. Dewald Brevis (38 off 18; 2x4s, 4x6s) and Connor Esterhuizen (39 off 26; 2x4s, 2x6s) stitched 50 runs off just 30 balls for the fifth wicket to take MI Cape Town to a winning total.

Richard Gleeson was the best bowler for Sunrisers, taking two wickets for 22 runs from his four overs.

Besides, Jansen (2/39) and Dawson (2/40) also chipped in with two wickets apiece.

MI Cape Town pacer Trent Boult with the player-of-the-match award.

IMAGE: MI Cape Town pacer Trent Boult with the player-of-the-match award. Photograph: BetwaySA20

Chasing, Sunrisers needed a strong start but their batters never looked comfortable in the Powerplay as within three overs, their two in-form young batters David Bedingham and Jordan Harmaan were sent back to the pavilion.

Bedingham was dismissed by Rabada, while Harmaan got out to Boult.

Abell (30 off 25; 4x4s, 1x6) and De Zorzi (26 off 23; 3x4s, 1x6) battled hard to rebuild the innings with a 57-run partnership for the third wicket, but they fell within three runs of each other to Linde and Rashid respectively to leave Sunrisers precariously placed on 68/4 in 10.3 overs.

MI Cape Town bowlers continued to pick up wickets at regular intervals as Linde dismissed Markram, caught by Rabada in the next over.

Sunrisers last remaining hopes were dashed when Stubbs (15) and Jansen (5) were dismissed by Boult and Rabada respectively.