SA20: Pretoria Capitals win thriller against Sunrisers Eastern Cape

In a nail-biting clash of the SA20 league, the Pretoria Capitals emerged victorious by defending a modest 125 runs against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

The disciplined bowling performance and strategic decisions by Aiden Markram played a crucial role in their three-run triumph at Centurion.

Opting to field first, Markram's decision proved fruitful as new ball bowlers Daniel Worrall and Marco Jansen struck early blows. Despite Phil Salt's attempts to attack during the powerplay, he succumbed to Jansen's brilliance for 20 runs.

The Capitals found themselves struggling at 52/5 by the end of the powerplay. However, Shane Dadswell (24) and Jimmy Neesham's (27) resilient partnership of 52 runs for the sixth wicket provided some stability. Simon Harmer's outstanding catch in the 14th over disrupted their progress, triggering another collapse. The Capitals ultimately posted a total of 125 all out in 18.3 overs.

In response, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape faced a challenging start to their chase, managing only 22 runs for the loss of three wickets within the powerplay. Eathan Bosch, Daryn Dupavilion, and Adil Rashid exhibited disciplined bowling, creating pressure on the opposition.

The Orange Army struggled to build partnerships, with the scoreboard reading 32/4 after 8.2 overs, leading to a hydration break. Despite a brief recovery, the home side found themselves at 80/6 after 16 overs, needing 46 runs from the final four overs.

Adil Rashid's crucial spell in the final overs proved decisive, as he took two wickets in the 17th over and added another scalp, conceding 25 runs in the next two overs. With 11 needed off the last over, Daryn Dupavillon showcased nerves of steel, giving away only three runs off the first three deliveries.

However, Liam Dawson's six off the fourth ball brought the equation down to 4 needed off 2. A brilliant yorker and a slower delivery bamboozled Dawson, securing a thrilling three-run victory for the Capitals.

The Pretoria Capitals' disciplined bowling and the captivating twists in the final overs made this encounter a gripping spectacle, showcasing the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket in the SA20 league.

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