• Parsons, Brevis power Pretoria Capitals into final

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    Bryce Parsons and Dewald Brevis starred as the Pretoria Capitals beat the Sunrisers Eastern Cape by seven wickets in the first playoff qualifier at Kingsmead on Wednesday.

    Parsons capped a dream all-round performance, following up figures of 3-10 to help restrict the Sunrisers to 170-7 before anchoring the chase with a vital 60 off 44 balls (four fours, two sixes). He shared a decisive 91-run partnership with Brevis, who produced a blistering 75 off 38 deliveries, including four fours and seven sixes.

    Brevis’ assault turned the contest decisively in the Capitals’ favour, with three consecutive sixes launched deep into the stands as the chase gathered unstoppable momentum. The innings carried the Capitals into their first SA20 final since the inaugural edition in 2023.

    HIGHLIGHTS: Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Pretoria Capitals

    The Sunrisers will now head to Johannesburg to face the winner of the eliminator at the Wanderers on Friday evening for a place in the final.

    Earlier, the two-time champions made a promising start after captain Tristan Stubbs won the toss and elected to bat. The early loss of Quinton de Kock was absorbed through an 81-run second-wicket stand between Jonny Bairstow and Jordan Hermann, lifting the Sunrisers to 112-1 after 12 overs.

    Momentum swung when Capitals captain Keshav Maharaj (2-24) exacted timely revenge on Bairstow, trapping the Englishman lbw for 50 off 36 balls (six fours, one six). Bairstow had taken Maharaj for 34 runs in an over during the league-stage meeting at Centurion.

    Hermann soon followed for 41 off 30 balls, sparking a collapse in which the Sunrisers lost four wickets for 22 runs. Parsons emerged as an unlikely chief destroyer during the middle overs, striking at key moments to stall the scoring rate.

    Chasing 171, the Capitals again stumbled early when Shai Hope edged Lewis Gregory behind. Connor Esterhuizen steadied the innings with 22 off 19 balls, adding 46 for the second wicket with Parsons to lay the platform for Brevis’ match-defining assault.

    Once Brevis found his range, there was no way back for the Sunrisers, as the Capitals surged home with confidence to seal a spot in Sunday’s final.

    Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportzpics

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    Simon Borchardt