Bairstow-de Kock Firestorm: Sunrisers Crush Pretoria Capitals by 10 Wickets in SA20 Thriller

Sunrisers Eastern Cape delivered a stunning performance, chasing down Pretoria Capitals' 176/7 in just 14.2 overs without losing a wicket in Match 14 of the SA20 league at SuperSport Park, Centurion.

Pretoria Capitals, electing to bat after winning the toss, posted 176 for 7 in their 20 overs. Connor Esterhuizen top-scored with 52 off 33 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford remained not out on 47 from 22 deliveries. The innings featured a powerplay of 51 runs for 2 wickets, reaching 50 in 5.5 overs with 7 extras.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape's chase was dominated by openers Quinton de Kock and Jonny Bairstow. De Kock smashed 79 off 41 balls, and Bairstow blazed 85 off 45, forging a 177-run partnership. They raced to 50 in 4.5 overs (29 balls) during the powerplay (66/0), hit 100 in 9.1 overs, and sealed the highest successful chase in SA20 history with a bonus point victory, securing 5 points to Pretoria's 0.

Pretoria's bowlers struggled, with Lizaad Williams conceding 0/30 in 3 overs and Tymal Mills 0/34 in 3.2. For Sunrisers, Anrich Nortje took 3/32 and Adam Milne 2/36, but it wasn't enough against the explosive batting.

PC captain Keshav Maharaj admitted post-match that 176 seemed defendable on the non-traditional SuperSport wicket, but poor bowling starts—too full and wide—proved costly. He lamented two home losses and urged a quick bounce-back.

This marked only the second 10-wicket win in a full 20-over SA20 game, propelling Sunrisers two points clear atop the table ahead of Johannesburg Super Kings, who have a game in hand.