Kagiso Rabada’s match-winning performance led MI Cape Town to their first-ever SA20 title, dethroning the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in a thrilling final.
MI Cape Town ended the Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s reign in the SA20 League with a stunning victory in the 2025 final at the Wanderers.
Under the bright lights of Johannesburg, the final proved to be an epic showdown, with MI Cape Town lifting their first-ever SA20 trophy in front of an electric crowd.
The match was filled with gripping moments and performances that defined the team’s triumph, with Kagiso Rabada playing the starring role in his best performance of the season.
From the first ball, Rabada showed his experience and mastery with the ball. His rhythm was impeccable, and he demonstrated the pace and control that have become his trademark.
The 29-year-old spearheaded MI Cape Town’s attack, leading them to a dominant position early in the match.
He delivered a match-winning spell, picking up 4/25, as his brilliant efforts restricted the Sunrisers to just 68/4 in the 11th over. Rabada’s pinpoint bowling under pressure was the catalyst for his team’s successful pursuit of the title.
As the match progressed, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape fought valiantly to stay in the contest. Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs, two key players for the Sunrisers, looked to turn the game around with a defiant partnership.
At 114 runs from the final nine overs, there was still hope for a dramatic finish.
But with the MI Cape Town bowlers applying relentless pressure, the game shifted in favor of the challengers. The turning point came when George Linde, the left-arm orthodox spinner, dismissed the dangerous Markram.
Attempting to play an extra cover shot, Markram was beaten by Linde’s turn and handed an easy catch to Rabada at point. This wicket, in the 13th over, proved to be the death knell for the Sunrisers, who could not recover from the setback.
MI Cape Town continued to capitalize on their early breakthroughs, and with Linde’s disciplined performance alongside Rabada’s brilliance, the game slipped further away from the Sunrisers.
In the latter half of the Sunrisers’ innings, they failed to form any substantial partnerships, and the chase was slowly but surely out of their reach.
Even the dangerous Rassie van der Dussen, who was expected to turn the game around, fell victim to a stunning delivery from Sunrisers’ left-arm spinner Liam Dawson.
Van der Dussen, coming down the wicket to take on Dawson, was beaten by the turn and missed completely. The stumping by wicketkeeper Tristan Stubbs sealed a crucial wicket for MI Cape Town, and they gained further control over the game.
On the batting side, MI Cape Town were equally impressive. The performance of Tony de Zorzi stood out, with the left-handed batter executing a brilliant pull shot off fast bowler Corbin Bosch.
De Zorzi, who had been struggling to get going in his innings, played a remarkable shot, hitting a 105m six that got him into his stride and helped MI Cape Town maintain their momentum.
His quick recovery helped in maintaining the chase and contributed to setting up a competitive total.
The Sunrisers’ efforts to claw back into the match were not without their own moments of brilliance. Richard Gleeson, a fast bowler for the Sunrisers, gave MI Cape Town’s batting order a tough time.
Gleeson bowled a tight four-over spell, conceding just 20 runs and taking two wickets, including a crucial dismissal of Reeza Hendricks, who fell for a duck.
Gleeson’s spell was a shining light in an otherwise tough final for the Sunrisers, as he delivered 12 dot balls and kept MI Cape Town on the edge.
Despite these efforts from the Sunrisers, MI Cape Town’s all-round performance proved too strong. Rabada’s clinical bowling and MI Cape Town’s sharp fielding and batting held up under pressure, ensuring they did not allow any late comebacks.
The victory was a testament to their well-rounded team effort, and their triumph over the defending champions cemented their place in SA20 history.
Kagiso Rabada’s leadership on the field was also a crucial element of MI Cape Town’s success. The fast bowler not only dominated with the ball but also led his team with composure and intensity, steering them to victory in their maiden SA20 final.
As MI Cape Town celebrated their first-ever league title, the win marked a new chapter for the team and their fans, who will remember this match as one of the most thrilling moments in the competition’s history.
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