Pretoria Capitals script historic comeback as SA20 playoff race explodes | Cricket News
The excitement started at Kingsmead, where Durban’s Super Giants captain Aiden Markram struck an electrifying career-best 108 off 58 balls to set up his team’s bonus-point 58-run victory over Paarl Royals.The five points earned pushed DSG up to 19 points and into the fourth and final playoff berth ahead of Joburg Super Kings (17 points).
But despite the comprehensive victory that saw DSG post 189/7 before restricting Royals to 131/9, their playoff fate was still in the balance, as a JSK victory over Pretoria Capitals at the Wanderers later in the evening would have eliminated both Super Giants and MI Cape Town.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!JSK sent shivers down the spines of both teams when they reduced Pretoria Capitals to an extraordinary 7/5 after 4.5 overs. The Super Kings seamers were virtually unplayable, with Dan Worrall, Nandre Burger and Wiaan Mulder all chipping in to leave the Capitals deep in trouble.That collapse, however, set the stage for the greatest comeback in SA20 history, with Dewald Brevis and Sherfane Rutherford rebuilding the Capitals innings through a remarkable 103-run sixth-wicket partnership. The pair had already shown their chemistry earlier in the competition but took it to another level at the Bullring.JSK will rue dropping Brevis on three, as the big-hitting right-hander went on to score 53 off 47 balls (4×4, 3×6), winning a duel with JSK captain Donovan Ferreira, who conceded 23 runs in the 14th over.Rutherford was once again the mainstay of the Capitals innings, finishing unbeaten on 74 (50 balls, 10×4, 2×6) as his pyrotechnics lifted the visitors to an improbable 143/6.The Capitals bowling unit then produced a spirited effort, led by the irrepressible Lizaad Williams (3/25) and captain Keshav Maharaj (3/15), to restrict Joburg Super Kings to 122/8 and complete one of the most sensational comebacks in T20 franchise cricket history.The victory propelled Maharaj’s side to the top of the table on 24 points, alongside Paarl Royals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape.Celebrations were felt in Durban and Cape Town as well, with DSG and MI Cape Town surviving to fight another day.Joburg Super Kings’ playoff fate remains in their own hands with a final match against Paarl Royals on Monday at Boland Park, though they may be without stand-in captain Ferreira, who retired hurt after facing just one ball following a fielding injury.
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MI Cape Town (14 points) face Sunrisers Eastern Cape at St George’s Park on Sunday, requiring a bonus-point win to stay in playoff contention.Sunrisers also have plenty at stake as they look to cement their place at the top of the standings and secure a Qualifier 1 berth at Kingsmead next Wednesday.Brief Scores Pretoria Capitals: 143 for 6 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 74 not out, Dewald Brevis 53; Daniel Worrall 2/12, Wiaan Mulder 2/34) Joburg Super Kings: 122 for 8 in 20 overs (Dian Forrester 44 not out; Keshav Maharaj 3/15, Lizaad Williams 3/25)
