The Dafabet Warriors extended their unbeaten run in the 2023/24 CSA T20 Challenge with a two-run victory over the DP World Lions at the Bullring on Wednesday.
Asked to bat first, Andile Mogakane's unbeaten half-century of 73* off 51 deliveries, along with contributions from Jordan Hermann (40) and Sinethemba Qeshile (22*), propelled the visitors to a total of 173/4.
Lions were well in it with their response, Rassie van der Dussen leading the charge with 43 runs. His 53-run partnership with Temba Bavuma (28) steadied the innings after the early loss of their openers.
However, it was Wiaan Mulder's courageous 43 off 20 balls that ignited hope for the Lions, including three towering sixes in the penultimate over before he was dismissed by Alfred Mothoa (3/35).
Beyers Swanepoel (2/27) held his nerve, defending 12 runs in the final over to secure a narrow two-run win for the Warriors and Lions concluded their innings on 171/7.
At the WSB Newlands, Edward Moore (101) batted his way to a maiden T20 century for World Sports Betting Western Province.
Moore’s knock, comprising of 11 boundaries and four maximums paved the way for Province's commanding 48-run victory over AET Tuskers.
Supported ably by Wayne Parnell, who contributed a solid 46 and Kyle Verreynne's unbeaten 23, Western Province set a formidable target of 209 runs.
Despite Kagiso Rapulana's valiant effort with a half-century, scoring 60 off 43 deliveries, Tuskers fell short, managing to reach only 160/7 by the end of their innings, with Keith Dudgeon holding firm with an unbeaten 35.
Mbulelo Budaza was the standout bowler for Tuskers, returning three crucial wickets.
On the other hand, Kyle Simmonds and promising talent from South Africa Under-19s, Juan James, each claimed two wickets for Western Province.
In Division 2, there were victories for Limpopo Impalas and Eastern Cape Iinyathi over Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers and Mpumalanga Rhinos, respectively. Both teams are through to the Division 2 T20 Knockout semi-finals and will be joined by the ITEC Knights and Northern Cape Heat, despite their abandoned encounter on Wednesday afternoon.
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