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Cape Town - Key half-centuries by Dane Vilas and Morne van Wyk kept the Dolphins on course to reach the RAM SLAM T20 Challenge semi-finals thanks to a pulsating six-wicket win over the Knights in their rain-hit clash in Bloemfontein on Friday.
Nearly an hour was lost at the start after the weather threatened to play spoil sport, but after the match was reduced to 17 overs per side, it delivered an excellent contest full of clean hitting and thrilling stroke play.
The visitors had won the toss and opted to bowl first, but it looked the wrong decision after the home side amassed what looked to be a match-winning 168 for four.
This was thanks in the main to Ryan McLaren (48) and David Miller (46) after they shared an unbroken 85-run fifth-wicket stand that came from 9.3 overs - both men scoring at a strike rate of 200.
Imran Tahir was the only bowler to go for under six runs per over on the night and picked up two for 23.
The Dolphins then looked dead and buried after slipping to 36 for two after 5.2 overs.
Cue Vilas, who stepped in and bashed six sixes in his knock of 51 off 22 balls. The veteran wicketkeeper added 88 for the second wicket alongside Van Wyk, before falling along with Andile Phehlukwayo (0) in quick succession.
Robbie Frylinck's unbeaten 27 then provided the perfect support for veteran opener Van Wyk - who ended not out on 70 (43 balls, 8 fours, 1 six) - as the Durbanites secured a priceless win.
They are third on 18 points and can still reach the 22 points of the Cobras should they beat the Titans in their final regular season match on Sunday.
The Knights dropped to last on the table but they can qualify with a win over the Highveld Lions on Sunday and if other results go their way.
