Pretoria Capitals claim first victory of the season with an 85-run win over MI Cape Town

Pretoria Capitals registered their first victory of the season, following their 85 runs victory over MI Cape Town at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Heading into the contest, the hosts, MI Cape Town, slumped into a tournament opening loss at home against Durban’s Super Giants, only to have their second match ruled a No-result after rain affected play in Durban last week.

On Wednesday, the defending champions sunk to a disappointing 85 run loss at home to the Pretoria Capitals.

Chasing 221 runs to win the contest, MI Cape Town batters Ryan Rickelton (33), Rassie van der Dussen (28), Nicholas Pooran (25) and Reeza Hendricks’ (18) efforts were just not enough to take them over the line in front of their home fans.

Instead, it was Sherfane Rutherford (4/24) and Keshav Maharaj (3/28) who took the spotlight at Newlands.

The pair was supported by Tymal Mills (1/27), Lizaad Williams (1/19) and Bryce Parsons (1/19), as the Pretoria Capitals bounced back from the two consecutive losses with a bonus point victory away from home.

Earlier, West Indies international, Shai Hope, and South African middle-order batter, Wihan Lubbe, combined for an 88-run partnership for the fourth-wicket, helping the visiting Pretoria Capitals side to a solid total of 220/5.

The right-handed batter, Hope, put together a 30-ball 45, a knock that saw the overseas player strike three boundaries and two maximums.

Lubbe was the standout batter for the visitors as he smashed 60 off 36 deliveries, with the left-hander blasting seven fours and two sixes in his stay.

Record signing, Dewald Brevis, came in to the crease with a solid 126 runs on the board in the 15th over.

The explosive batter put together a sparkling 13-ball 36, a knock that included four maximums and a solitary four, helping the visitors put together a competitive total on the board.

Proteas and MI Cape Town fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada, in his return to play following the rib injury that he sustained before the Test series in India, finished as the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 2/48 in his allotted four overs.

Trent Boult (1/43), Corbin Bosch (1/38) and George Linde (1/22), all took a wicket apiece, helping the hosts contain the explosive visiting batting unit on what was a batter friendly wicket on Wednesday.

Pretoria Capitals: 220/5 (Wihan Lubbe 60; Kagiso Rabada 2/48)

MI Cape Town: 135 all out (Ryan Rickelton 33; Sherfane Rutherford 4/24)

Pretoria Capitals won by 85 runs