The Qualifier 1 of the SA20 2025 saw an intense contest between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals at the St. George’s Park in which Cape Town triumphed over the Royals and entered the final of the league for the first time in their history. The Royals after suffering a defeat will now have to play a do-or-die Qualifier 2 against the winner of the eliminator match between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Joburg Super Kings.
A determined effort from Cape Town with the bat
Royals made a decision to bowl first after winning the toss and saw their bowlers put on an average display from the Cape Town batting unit. Like most of the season, Cape Town had a solid start with the bat, Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen provided their team a remarkable base to reach a competitive total in the match. Rickelton, in particular, led the team from the front and played an emphatic knock of 44 runs off 27 balls with 4 boundaries and 2 towering sixes. Rickelton’s innings kept the run rate on the high and added pressure on Royals to get the breakthrough as early as possible.
Cape Town’s middle and lower order too dominated the course of the play and stitched a total of 199/4 in 20 overs. Notable contributions from Dewald Brevis, Delano Potgieter and George Linde paved the way for a fine day for Cape Town with the bat and further corner the Royals through the added scoreboard pressure to chase down the total.
Disappointment for Royals
For the Royals, the team’s concerns regarding plan execution and building momentum which emerged during the last 2 games of the season continued in the qualifier as well. While Royals’ bowling unit gave away runs and allowed Cape Town to reach a competitive total, their batters could not withstand the incoming onslaught from Cape Town bowlers. The run-chase went as a show of desperation and mediocrity from the Royals batters as they threw their wickets away quickly one after the other.
Royals skipper David Miller and wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik were the only two batters which tried to hold on some hope for their side and put runs on the board. But, even these two batters could not sail their team through and give their wickets away in hours of need. Ultimately, Royals were bowled out on 160 runs in 19.4 overs as Cape Town won the match by 39 runs.
Also Read: “His wisdom is invaluable…”: David Miller celebrates Dinesh Karthik’s influence in SA20 2025
Here’s how twitter reacted
Ryan Rickelton batted with 50+ Average in #SA20 this season as well.#BetwaySA20 pic.twitter.com/z5V6UFcdTw
— Mumbai Indians FC (@MIPaltanFamily) February 4, 2025
Well played MICT….One final step 🪜 to become the first time champion 🏆 in SA20 ….See you on Sunday 🏏 #MICapeTown @SA20_League
— Ayan Khanra (@AyanKha93842862) February 5, 2025
Finally #MICapetown reached finals in #SAT20
Allround performance from team
Rickleton, VdDussen, Brevis, Linde and potgieter from batting
Ramada, Boult, Bosch and Rashid from bowling played their part
— Sasidhar🔥🧊 (@sasidhar205) February 4, 2025
MI Capetown in SA20
2023 – Finished Last Place in Pointstable
2024 – Finished Last Place in Pointstable
2025 – 1st Team to Reach Finals*#MICapetown #SA20 pic.twitter.com/e8JGJ2Oyhs— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) February 4, 2025
We in the final baby!!!! #MICapeTown 🇿🇦🏏
— Gills (@gpricey23) February 4, 2025
MICT 199/4 (20 OVERS). Superb Knock Dewald Brevis 44*(30), Ryan Rickelton 44(27), Rassie van der Dussen 40(32) and D Potgieter 32*(17).@MICapeTown #PRvMICT #SA20
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) February 4, 2025
Ryan Rickelton 44 off 27 balls in the SA20, in Rickelton South Africa have found a complex player, starts carefully, rotates the strike and then press forward and is too sizzling to handle as the young wicketkeeper batsman has a perfect way to go. Brilliant!
— Ali Sajawal (@AliSaja25116369) February 4, 2025
Unreal consistency from Ryan rickelton🥶💥
#SA20 #MICapeTown #rickelton
— Mrvindh (@VinduAravi64844) February 4, 2025
One massive six, one incredible grab, and another fan cashing in on the Betway Catch 2 Million prize pool! 🤑🔥
That was your @Betway_za Moment of the Match.#BetwaySA20 #MICTvPR #WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/A8RKNjRBh3— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) February 4, 2025
SA20 Qualifier 1 result
MI Cape Town posted a total of 199/4 in 20 overs. Paarl Royals responded with a total of 160 after 19.4 overs#MICT are through to the final and #PR will play in the second qualifier on Thursday against the winner of the Eliminator#MICTVPR #SA20 #SAXX
— The MDima Report (@TheMDimaReport) February 4, 2025
Also Watch: Dinesh Karthik smacks Wihan Lubbe for three consecutive sixes in SA20 2025