Match Center

Right then, the group stage is completed for SA20 2025 with this last match where MI Cape Town defeated Pretoria Capitals one-sided by 95 runs. We are going to have playoff matches now as the first one is coming a couple of days later. The first Qualifier will be played between the table toppers MI Cape Town and the second-best team of the season, Paarl Royals on the 4th of February. The first bowl will be bowled at 9 PM IST (3.30 PM GMT) but you can join us an hour before to get the coverage of the toss and playing XI. Until then, CHEERS! ADIOS!

Colin Ingram, the victorious skipper of MI Cape Town says that he is very happy with his first win as captain. Adds that the crowd has been brilliant despite the first two seasons not going their way. Mentions that they have had some terrific performances with players stepping up at different times. Says the left-right combo up top has been working excellently for them, with both openers being in the top run-getters. Further adds that the bowling has been incredible as well and they have just fed off each other's energy. Ends by saying that they are looking forward to the Qualifier now.

Kyle Verreynne, the captain of Pretoria Capitals, says that they just struggled to get the momentum early in the tournament and they should have won that game which got washed out because of the rain. Adds that the last couple of games have gone really well for the younger players and there is a lot of talent in the group. Mentions that they just want to reflect on what went wrong this season and chat with the senior guys in the group to come back stronger next season.

Dane Piedt is the Player of the Match for his superb bowling spell. He starts by chanting to the home crowd. He says that it is a great moment for him as he has grown up on this ground watching Western Province and the other teams. Adds that it is even more special with his wife, kid and parents all present here. Mentions that as the Great Hashim Amla says - Piedt, You are the hype man and he loves the atmosphere in the team. Says that looking at all the talents, it has been a brilliant season for them. He acknowledges that the fans have been awesome and it is a pleasure to play and win in front of them. Ends by jokingly saying that he has already told the coach that you cannot drop the Man of the Match from the playoffs.

Time for the presentations...

Earlier in the game, MI Cape Town won the toss and they decided to bat first. Their openers came with some intent as they both added 133 runs together and scored fifty each. They were on the course of getting over 200 easily and they got it despite losing some wickets in the middle and death overs. Pretoria’s bowlers were getting thrashed earlier but they came back with the help of three wickets of James Neesham. But that score was too good on this surface which proved to be match-winning.

For MI Cape Town, defending the 200 total became easy as their bowlers bowled really well, especially the spinners. They didn’t give away anything and picked up nine wickets. They bowled loopy balls to tempt the Pretoria's batters to go for lofted shots and in that process, they perished. The seamers just gave their contribution by bowling tight lines and lengths but it was the spinners who made this chase impossible for the Capitals.

The start to the chase for Pretoria Capitals was horrible as they lost the first wicket on the very first ball of the second inning. Their inning never took off and they lost three wickets in the fifth over with a run out of their skipper Kyle Verreynne due to just miscommunication in running between the wickets. They lost five wickets inside the Powerplay which dented their hopes to chase a target of above 200. The batters showed a lack of application and perished one by one. Though the pitch was playing good they didn't show enough character to chase it down and give their fans something to cheer for in the final match.

Pretoria Capitals have bundled out for 106 in their final match of the season. It has been a one-sided match where MI Cape Town led right from the start to the end. An emphatic win for them by 95 runs. Pretoria were never in the game, and they will want to forget this season and this match going forward to next season. On the contrary, MI Cape Town are just pumped up with this win as they have won it without their regular players and have finished at the top of the points table. They are going into Qualifier 1 with the momentum of this win and with this win, they are the only side to win all of their home games this season.

OUT! TAKEN! All over for Pretoria Capitals! Thomas Kaber dishes out another wrong'un, full and around off, turns away again. Jason Behrendorff tries the same shot again without picking it. He only manages to get a top edge as the ball goes high up in the air. George Linde from backward point runs forward and takes a fine catch with a dive in the end. MI Cape Town wins by 95 runs!

OUT! TAKEN! All over for Pretoria Capitals! Thomas Kaber dishes out another wrong'un, full and around off, turns away again. Jason Behrendorff tries the same shot again without picking it. He only manages to get a top edge as the ball goes high up in the air. George Linde from backward point runs forward and takes a fine catch with a dive in the end. MI Cape Town wins by 95 runs!

Slows it up, full and on off, googly, turns away, Jason Behrendorff goes down to slog sweep but gets nowhere near the ball.

Floated, full and on off, Gideon Peters moves down across and swipes it off the inner half of the bat through square leg for a run.

Gideon Peters is the last man in.

OUT! STUMPED! MI Cape Town are just one wicket away from the victory! Thomas Kaber gives air to the ball, outside off, and invites the batter to play a drive, Matthew Boast lunges to drive it but gets beaten in the air and drags his back foot outside the crease. The keeper Chris Benjamin collects the ball behind the wickets and dislodges the bails in no time. The third umpire comes into the play and the replays show that it is an out.

OUT! STUMPED! MI Cape Town are just one wicket away from the victory! Thomas Kaber gives air to the ball, outside off, and invites the batter to play a drive, Matthew Boast lunges to drive it but gets beaten in the air and drags his back foot outside the crease. The keeper Chris Benjamin collects the ball behind the wickets and dislodges the bails in no time. The third umpire comes into the play and the replays show that it is an out.

Nagging length, outside off, Boast throws his hands at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Nagging length, outside off, Jason dabs it towards point for a single.