Rashid Khan in dreamland after becoming T20's highest-wicket taker
Afghanistan's star leg-spinner, Rashid Khan, has set a new milestone in T20 cricket, surpassing Dwayne Bravo to become the format's highest wicket-taker.
Robin Peterson's team were superior in all facets from the moment they were inserted by Royals skipper David Miller.
The opening batters Ryan Rickelton (44 off 27 balls) and Rassie van der Dussen (40 off 32 balls) laid the platform for the imposing 199/4 with an impressive 87-run opening stand in just 9.2 overs.
The Royals staged a mini fight back by picking up three wickets for the addition of just six runs to leave MI Cape Town at 91/3.
The momentum, however, swung back in favour of the table-toppers with George Linde smashing three sixes in his 14-ball 26.
With the Royals losing their discipline with a couple of waist high full tosses that saw Dayyaan Galiem being forced out of the attack, it allowed Dewald Brevis (44 not out off 30 balls) and Delano Potgieter (32 not out off 17 balls) to add 74 runs in the last five overs.
Royals began their run-chase in a positive manner with Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Mitchell Owen taking 21 runs off Trent Boult's opening over.
Pretorius's cameo (15 off six balls) was quickly brought to an end by Kagiso Rabada though.
The Royals were unable to build up any momentum from thereon with only captain David Miller offering up any resistance with a 26-ball 45.
There were further celebrations for MI Cape Town when skipper Rashid Khan became the leading wicket-taker in T20 when he went past West Indian legend Dwayne Bravo when he clean bowled Royals all rounder Dunith Wellalage.
MI Cape Town now advance straight to the Saturday's final at the Wanderers, while the Royals will have another opportunity in Thursday's Qualifier 2 at Centurion.
Afghanistan's star leg-spinner, Rashid Khan, has set a new milestone in T20 cricket, surpassing Dwayne Bravo to become the format's highest wicket-taker.
MI Cape Town underlined their status as the Betway SA20 table-toppers for Season 3 with a comprehensive bonus-point victory over the Pretoria Capitals to close out a perfect record at Newlands on Sunday.
In a thrilling SA20 encounter on Friday night, MI Cape Town triumphed over Pretoria Capitals by 27 runs at Centurion in a match dominated by power-hitting.
MI Cape Town delivered a fielding, bowling and batting masterclass at Newlands on Wednesday evening to book their maiden appearance in the Betway SA20 Playoffs.