Cape Town - The Highveld Lions survived a late Robbie Frylinck assault to hold on for narrow six-run win over the Dolphins in their latest T20 Challenge outing at Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday.
After amassing a healthy 175/5, the hosts looked on course for victory thanks to a fine spell of bowling by Bjorn Fortuin, who took 3/23 in four tight overs.
It left the visitors needing 67 from the final five overs with just four wickets still standing. And top-scorer Frylinck smashed 49 (20 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes) to take the equation down to 12 from three balls, before he eventually fell to the bowler he ripped most into, Matt McGillivray, as the Dolphins lost for the third time in six games.
Seamer McGillivray took two wickets, but went for 43 in his four overs, including one that went for 27, which threatened to tilt the match in the away side’s favour.
Lions captain Aaron Phangiso (0-25) was also outstanding in his four overs, despite failing to take a wicket, with those plaudits also going to Hardus Viljoen (3-37).
Earlier, Mangaliso Mosehle blasted 45 off 25 balls (3 fours, 3 sixes) to lift the hosts to a strong total. Rassie van der Dussen (41) was also amongst the runs as the Lions secured a second win of the season, which propelled them from last to fourth on the log standings.