Marco Marais smashed a 35-ball 65 to lead the Eastern Cape Iinyathi to an eight-wicket triumph over the Limpopo Impalas in their T20 Knock Out Pool D match in Kimberley on Monday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Impalas found it difficult to get their innings going, reaching the end of the PowerPlay on 34-2 due to Iinyathi bowlers Thandolwethu Mnyaka (2-19) and Gideon Peters (2-17), who ripped through the top order.

With the scoring rate low, the middle-order duo of Morne Venter and Juandre Scheepers (31) shared a 96-run fifth-wicket stand and helped carry the Limpopo outfit to a competitive 138-5 after 20 overs.

Venter ended on 56 off 40 deliveries (four fours, two sixes).

Iinyathi made quick inroads towards the target, with openers Marais and Mncedisi Malika (41 off 32 balls; five fours, two sixes) recording a mammoth 116-run partnership to take the game away from the opposition.

Despite both openers being removed by the pick of the Impalas bowlers, Venter (2-7), Jason Niemand (16*) and Joshua van Heerden (6*) finished the job with 5.3 overs to spare.

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Tuesday, 5 October

Limpopo Impalas vs Warriors (10am)
Eastern Cape Iinyathi vs Rocks (2:30pm)

Wednesday, 6 October 2021
Limpopo Impalas vs Gbets Rocks (10am)
Eastern Cape Iinyathi vs Warriors (2:30pm)

Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix