Twitter Reactions: Sunrisers Eastern Cape qualify for playoffs after annihilating Joburg Super Kings

Match 25 in SA20 2024 turned out to be a one-sided affair, as defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape outclassed Joburg Super Kings, winning by nine wickets with as many overs to spare on Wednesday, January 31 in Johannesburg.

The Sunrisers didn't put a foot wrong after skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to bowl first. Daniel Worral picked up the big wickets of Faf du Plessis and Reeza Hendricks off consecutive deliveries in the second over of the innings and Joburg couldn't recover after this catastrophic start.

Wayne Madsen scored 32 off 23 balls, hitting five fours and one six but the other batters failed to make a mark. Four wickets fell inside the PowerPlay before Joburg were bundled out for 78 in just 15.2 overs. There was nothing in the pitch that could justify such a disappointing batting display from the hosts. A few of the batters were unlucky, as they were strangled down the leg-side. Only three batters got to double digits, while three failed to open their accounts.

Markram used four pacers and two spinners in the innings. All 10 wickets were picked up by the quicker men. Patrick Kruger and Worral bagged three wickets apiece, while Marco Jansen and Swanepeol chipped in with a couple each.

Chasing the paltry target, Eastern Cape got off to a sedate start before losing the wicket of Jordan Hermann in the fifth over, with 29 runs on the board. In the end, Dawid Malan remained unbeaten on 40 off 32 balls, while Tom Abell finished on 26 not out off 20. Eastern Cape needed only 11 overs to get across the line. The in-form Lizaad Williams was the only wicket-taker for the Super Kings.

Eastern Cape won the encounter with a bonus point and punched their ticket to the playoffs. They are placed second on the points table, with 24 points from eight games. Durban Super Giants and Paarl Royals are the two other teams who have made it beyond the round-robin phase of the tournament. Meanwhile, Joburg's loss gives playoff hopes to teams like Pretoria Capitals and MI Cape Town, who are languishing at the bottom of the table.

Here's how 'X' users reacted to the one-sided contest between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Joburg Super Kings: