Kagiso Rabada stars as MI Cape Town thump Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20 final

The fast bowler rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion, delivering a lethal spell of 4/25 to dismantle Sunrisers Eastern Cape for just 105 in response to MI Cape Town's imposing 181/8 - the second-highest total ever recorded in a Betway SA20 final.

Rabada's brilliance extended beyond the ball. His stunning diving catch at point to dismiss Sunrisers captain Aiden Markram at a crucial moment turned the tide firmly in MI Cape Town's favour.

He was well supported by the spin duo of George Linde (2/20) and Rashid Khan (1/19), ensuring that Sunrisers never found their footing.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, MI Cape Town set the tone early, with Ryan Rickelton blazing his way to 33 off just 15 balls, propelling his side to 51 runs within the first five overs.

However, Craig Overton's clever slower ball soon deceived Rickelton, and Reeza Hendricks followed for a duck, leaving MI Cape Town at 52/2 at the end of the Powerplay - still the highest total conceded by Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the first six overs throughout the tournament.

Rickelton's knock also saw him surpass Durban's Super Giants' Heinrich Klaasen as the all-time leading run-scorer in Betway SA20 history, reaching 1,012 career runs.

Despite Sunrisers chipping away with key wickets, including that of Rassie van der Dussen (23 off 25), MI Cape Town rebuilt through vital partnerships in the middle order. A crucial 50-run stand off just 30 balls between Dewald Brevis (38 off 18) and Connor Esterhuizen (39 off 26) proved pivotal in pushing the total to a match-winning score.

Needing a strong start in their chase, Sunrisers Eastern Cape faltered early, losing David Bedingham and Jordan Hermann for just eight runs combined, Rabada striking first to dismiss Bedingham for just five.

Tom Abell and Tony de Zorzi fought back with a 57-run partnership, but their resistance was short-lived. Linde and Rashid struck in quick succession, dismissing both within three runs of each other to leave Sunrisers struggling at 68/4.

When Markram departed soon after, Sunrisers' hopes of defending their title faded fast, with Rabada tearing through the tail with three more wickets to cap off MI Cape Town's triumph.

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