On this day, February 8, MI Cape Town win SA20 title for the first-time beating Sunrisers Eastern Cape. It was the final between these two sides and Sunrisers Eastern Cape had won the first two seasons and were looking to go for a third consecutive trophy which would have created a record. But in their way came in MI Cape Town who were not so good in the first few seasons but had a best season to reach the Final.
There were plenty of narratives set up and the Final began with MI Cape Town batting first. The openers got off a to a great start as Rassie van der Dussen and Rickelton put up 50 run partnership in just 5 overs.
Ryan Rickelton was dismissed for 31 of just 15 balls but had done his job. His wicket had given an opening to SEC and they capitalized on it by removing Reeza Hendricks next. MI Cape Town were maintaining a good run rate but kept losing wickets as at the halfway mark of 10 overs they were 93/4. The game was right in the balance.
Dewald Brevis provided a great finish as he played a cameo of 38 runs to propel the MI Cape Town innings to a grand finish. MI Cape Town scored 181/8 in the first innings and it was an above par total on that surface and given it was the Final, MI Cape Town would have been very confident at that point. The chase for SEC started poorly as they lost both the wickets quickly an were 8/2. Tom Abell played positively and took the game on as they recovered to 65/2.
But once again just as they were looking to come back in the game, Sunrisers Eastern Cape lost two more quick wickets as they were 68/4. It was always going to be difficult from this point and they kept losing wickets and eventually were bowled out for 105 and MI Cape Town were the SA20 champions and they continued their legacy. Trent Boult won the player of the match.
