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Right then, that is it from this one-sided Qualifier 1 where MI Cape Town goes through to the final while Paarl Royals will have to take the longer route now. Next up in the SA20 2025 is the Eliminator between two-time champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, and a side filled with quality, Joburg Super Kings, on 5th February, Wednesday. That match will begin at 9 pm IST (3.30 pm GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to it. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Rashid Khan, the victorious skipper of MI Cape Town says that it is a great feeling, especially after the disappointing first couple of seasons. Adds that they have played some great cricket in the group stages, and then this performance in the Qualifier 1 makes him very proud. Tells that it is really good to see everyone stepping up under pressure. Mentions that Rassie and Ryan have been superb giving them the starts that they were doing in the previous seasons as well, but they were just missing out on crunch moments. Says that they have been bowling well throughout the season and even in this game, after conceding 20 in the first over, Rabara showed his experience getting them the breakthrough. Further adds that he should also mention the fielding as it has been really crucial for them. On surpassing DJ Bravo's tally of T20 wickets, he says that it is a great achievement. Adds that if 10 years ago, someone had said that he would pick up so many wickets, he would not have believed it. Ends by saying that Bravo is one of the greats of this format, and as a player coming from Afghanistan, it is a really special feeling for him.

David Miller, the captain of Paarl Royals says that they started slow in the Powerplay and at the end of the inning there were too many extras, so it was not a great night for the boys. He also praises how the opposition batters Ricks and Rassie batted. Continues that they have another game in a couple of days and also stated that it takes one day to turn around things. Mentions that the batters also failed to make a good start to chase 200. Ends up saying that these things happen in T20s and also says that luck wasn't favoring them today.

Delano Potgieter is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his impactful knock. He says that he is happy that he could contribute and wasn't expecting this but will take it. Adds that it is extremely tough as a batter and there is a lot of pressure. But when you perform and come out of it, you feel much better. Mentions that a lot of pressure gets taken away at the start by the two batters. It makes it a lot easier for them towards the back end. Further mentions that everyone is playing well. Adds that he likes bowling in the Powerplay and he will give it all. Concludes by saying that it is lovely being in the finals.

Presentation Time...

Barring an expensive first over, MI Cape Town bowlers were in complete control. Kagiso Rabada struck with his first ball, Trent Boult and Corbin Bosch followed up, and a brilliant run-out added to the chaos. The spinners, George Linde and Rashid Khan, then tightened the screws, forcing mistakes and grabbing three crucial wickets. The pacers returned to clean up the rest, sealing a dominant win. Some might point to that No-Ball while Dewald Brevis was batting as a turning point, but MICT played their game to perfection and deserved this victory - fair and square!

Earlier in the game, after being put into bat, they wasted no time, with the openers blazing to 87 in no time before falling in their 40s. A slight stumble in the middle, but George Linde steadied the ship, and late fireworks from Dewald Brevis and Delano Potgieter reignited the charge. Paarl Royals had brief sparks with Dunith Wellalage’s double strike and Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s tight spell, but the rest were sent on a leather hunt and they ended up conceding more than 70 in the last 5 overs.

A Fiery Start, but a Tough End for Paarl Royals! They came out all guns blazing, smashing 21 off Trent Boult’s first over, but it all unraveled quickly. Early wickets derailed their momentum, and despite David Miller’s valiant 45 (while battling a groin issue) and Dinesh Karthik’s efforts, the lack of support proved costly. The asking rate soared, the pressure mounted, and they eventually crumbled for 160, falling short by 39 runs.

MI CAPE TOWN STORM INTO THE FINAL! From rock bottom in the last two seasons to absolute dominance in 2025 - what a turnaround! They become the first team to book a spot in the final and can now sit back and watch the drama unfold. As for Paarl Royals, their journey isn’t over yet - they get one more shot in Qualifier 2 against either Sunrisers Eastern Cape or Joburg Super Kings.

OUT! CAUGHT! Corbin Bosch wraps things up for MI Cape Town! This is the second wicket for Bosch and with that wicket, the 6th consecutive win of MI Cape Town has been sealed. Bosch bowls it a touch fuller, just outside off. Bjorn Fortuin attempts to loft it down the ground but fails to get the timing right. The ball flies over the mid-off fielder and the skipper, Rashid Khan, backtracks a bit and reverse-cups the skier into his hand. MI Cape Town wins the Qualifier 1 by 39 runs and makes it to the final.

OUT! CAUGHT! Corbin Bosch wraps things up for MI Cape Town! This is the second wicket for Bosch and with that wicket, the 6th consecutive win of MI Cape Town has been sealed. Bosch bowls it a touch fuller, just outside off. Bjorn Fortuin attempts to loft it down the ground but fails to get the timing right. The ball flies over the mid-off fielder and the skipper, Rashid Khan, backtracks a bit and reverse-cups the skier into his hand. MI Cape Town wins the Qualifier 1 by 39 runs and makes it to the final.

Short, on off. Bjorn Fortuin looks to pull but misses.

FOUR! Bjorn Fortuin is just not done yet! Fuller, outside off. Bjorn Fortuin carves it towards far right of the sweeper cover fielder for another boundary.

FOUR! CLASS! Low full toss, on middle. Bjorn Fortuin shuffles across the stump and tickles it past the short fine leg for four more runs.

A dot to end the over! Slower and back of a length, outside off. Kwena Maphaka once again tries to swat but misses.

On a length, on off. Kwena Maphaka charges down the track to heave it across the line but once again misses.

Hard-length delivery just outside off. Kwena Maphaka hangs back to slog it but misses on the outer edge.