Pretoria Capitals surged to the top of the SA20 standings after producing a ruthless all-round display to hand MI Cape Town a 53-run defeat at a sold-out Centurion on Monday night.The bonus-point win lifted the Capitals to 20 points, moving them above defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape, while MI Cape Town’s playoff hopes were left hanging by a thread with only two matches remaining — both against Sunrisers.
After being put under pressure early, the Capitals were rescued by a blazing innings from Sherfane Rutherford, whose 53 off 27 balls transformed a shaky position into a commanding total of 185 for 6. Walking in at 89 for 4 with just over seven overs remaining, the West Indies power-hitter launched a counter-attack that completely flipped the momentum.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Rutherford found an ideal ally in Dewald Brevis, and the pair added a furious 69 off just 34 balls for the fifth wicket. MI Cape Town were made to pay for sloppy fielding, with both batters dropped off consecutive Corbin Bosch deliveries, errors that proved costly. Brevis then lit up Centurion with two audacious sixes off Kagiso Rabada — one a no-look flick over fine leg and the other a one-handed swipe over cover — while Rutherford punished Trent Boult for 16 runs in a single over.When Rutherford fell off the final ball of the innings, caught at long-on, the damage had already been done.The Capitals carried that momentum straight into the field. Gideon Peters delivered a decisive blow by ripping through MI Cape Town’s middle order with a sensational double-wicket maiden. His spell triggered a dramatic collapse as the visitors slumped from 46 for 2 to 55 for 6, losing four wickets for just 11 runs.Brevis then turned the match on its head with two breathtaking boundary-line catches, showcasing agility and awareness that matched his batting flair.
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Despite a lone resistance from Reeza Hendricks, who struck an unbeaten 68 from 50 balls, MI Cape Town never recovered and were restricted to 132 for 7.With this emphatic victory, the Capitals now head into their remaining fixtures — against Paarl Royals at home and Joburg Super Kings away — brimming with confidence as they chase a direct path to the SA20 playoffs.Brief Scores Pretoria Capitals: 185 for 6 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 53, Dewald Brevis 34; Kagiso Rabada 2-33) MI Cape Town: 132 for 7 in 20 overs (Reza Hendricks 68; Gideon Peters 3-32)
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