Can MI Cape Town still make the SA20 semis?

The SA20 got back underway on Thursday evening, following the Proteas v England ODI Series break, and though the initial restart was a good one for MI Cape Town, they ultimately fell to a potentially costly 5-wicket defeat to the Durban Super Giants.

General view of Kingsmead in Durbban — General view of Kingsmead in Durban.

The MI Cape Town v DSG match

In the run chase of 166, Durban Super Giants had to work hard in the second half of their innings but they managed to win the game on the penultimate delivery of the match.

Put in to bat first, MI Cape Town posted 165 for 5 in 20 overs, thanks to Rassie van der Dussen (43), debutant Tim David (33) and Delano Potgieter (32*) – who played brilliant cameos.

Delano Potgieter of MI Cape Town hits over the top for six.

Playing his first game for MICT, David showcased his big-hitting prowess and even proved his wicket-taking ability. While van der Dussen kept proving his importance in the middle overs with yet another crucial knock, although it went in vain.

However, it was the unbeaten 50-run stand for the sixth wicket between Odean Smith (17*) and Potgieter (32*) in the end overs, which gave MICT some impetus towards the innings break.

A general view of Kingmead in Durban. — A general view of Kingsmead in Durban.

MICT bowlers Kagiso Rabada (3/22), Duan Jansen (1/28) and Tim David (1/15) kept the run chase in control with the ball.

Using his vast experience, Rabada picked up three important wickets in his second spell during the death overs to bring MI Cape Town back into the game. His exploits ensured MICT bowlers gave a tough fight till the end.

Captain Khan rotated his bowlers brilliantly and proved why this bowling attack is potent in the competition as the MICT bowlers kept squeezing Super Giants in the slog overs.

Rashid Khan of MI Cape Town unsuccessfully claims for the wicket of Matthew Breetzke of the Durban Super Giants.

Where does that leave MI?

MI sit just outside of the playoff spots in fifth place. In fourth is the powerful Joburg Super Kings, who lead MI by just three points, and enjoy a game in hand. MI are still within striking distance of the Paarl Royals, who occupy third, and Sunrisers Eastern Cape, who sit second.

A win for MI will take them level on points with the two, but the Cape Town outfit needs a favour or two from some of the other sides.

The Super Kings and Royals meet in Joburg today, and at this stage, MI will have to cheer against their Western Cape rivals.

In the other match on Friday, 3 February, The Durban Super Giants play host to the Sunrisers. Even though a Super Giant win will send MI into last place, they will be rooting for just that to happen, as four points would ultimately split the sides in the bottom five of the six-team points table.

What is required from MI?

MI Cape Town have just two games left of the round-robin stage, and they will have to win both as convincingly as possible.

They play the Pretoria Capitals at Centurion on Saturday, 4 February, before going up against the Joburg Super Kings on Monday, 6 February.

“We now have to win our last two games. Every game is a knockout and a must-win if we have to be in the top four. We need to play smart cricket and don’t have to put pressure on ourselves. (We need to) Just take it one game at a time and give our 100 percent,” said the MICT skipper, Rashid Khan.