SA20: MI Cape Town stay alive with three-wicket win over Sunrisers

SA20: MI Cape Town stay alive with three-wicket win over Sunrisers

MI Cape Town kept their faint SA20 play-off hopes alive with a tense three-wicket win over Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Newlands on Friday night, thanks to key contributions from Trent Boult, Corbin Bosch and Reeza Hendricks.

Chasing 140, MI Cape Town reached 140 for seven with four balls remaining in their final home match of the season. It was only their third win in nine matches, and just their second at Newlands, but it ensured their campaign did not end on Friday.

Their qualification hopes now depend on Durban's Super Giants and Joburg Super Kings failing to win their remaining fixtures.

Three of the four play-off places have already been confirmed, with Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Paarl Royals and Pretoria Capitals safely through. The final spot remains up for grabs between MI Cape Town, Joburg Super Kings and Durban's Super Giants.

Earlier, MI Cape Town's bowlers delivered one of their most disciplined performances of the tournament. Boult led the attack with three for 28, finding movement up front and at the death. Bosch backed him up superbly, removing key batters on his way to four for 34 as Sunrisers were restricted to 139 for nine.

Sunrisers' innings never fully settled after they lost Quinton de Kock to the first ball. Regular wickets followed before Marco Jansen provided late impetus with a powerful 42 off 23 balls. James Coles added a steady 28, but the total always felt slightly below par.

In reply, MI Cape Town were kept in the contest by Hendricks, who anchored the chase with a calm 41 from 43 balls. George Linde added urgency with 31 off 18, but Sunrisers kept things tight through Marco Jansen and Senuran Muthusamy, who took two wickets apiece to deny MI Cape Town a bonus point.

The two sides meet again on Sunday in Gqeberha, where MI Cape Town must win and wait on other results to see if their season can yet be extended. 

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