Regardless of who the winner will be, it will be one for the history books. Should the Sunrisers win, they will become the first-ever team to win the tournament three consecutive times, remaining the only team to have won the tournament.

On the flip side, if MI Cape Town continue their outstanding form from the group stage and win the final, they will become first-time champions – an amazing feat considering that, in the two previous editions of the SA20, they finished at the bottom of the log.

Rashid Khan. Photo: Cricinfo

It is also fitting that these two teams will battle it out, as they faced each other in the tournament's opening game. On that night, MI Cape Town beat the Sunrisers by 97 runs at St George’s Park in Gqeberha.

In the return match 20 days later, MI Cape Town were once again victorious, this time by ten wickets at Newlands in the Mother City. However, that counts for nothing now, as the only result that matters is the one in the final.

The Afghanistan and MI Cape Town captain, Rashid Khan, said for them as a team, it is a big occasion, but they must stick to what has worked and enjoy the moment.

“For us as a team, we’ve qualified for the playoffs for the first time, and we also finished at the top of the table, so that is a first-time experience for us,” said Khan.

“We have been playing some amazing cricket over the last month, and I think if you believe in that and just focus on what we can do best on the day, that’s what matters. It’s not about whoever the opposition is – they’re playing good cricket as well. You know they came from a very tough position, losing three in a row, and then came back to play in the final. It's a big achievement for them, and they have good experience playing in finals over the last three years.

Aiden Markram. Photo: Cricinfo

“For us, we'll be focusing on playing good cricket and sticking to what we’ve done well over the last month to get here. That will be the challenge for us rather than thinking, ‘Okay, they haven’t been beaten in the playoffs.’ I don't think we should have that in mind. For us, it's about mindset, approach, and effort, which will be the key.”

The Sunrisers’ skipper, Aiden Markram, in turn, said it has been a busy couple of days for them as a team, having played in the Eliminator and then Qualifier 2 to reach the final. He admitted that their tanks were running low, but they will give it one last big push and draw energy from the occasion.

“It's been busy, so a day like this is more for rest than for training, especially for our team,” said Markram. “It’s been back-to-back games now, so it can be quite tiring, but when there’s a lot of energy at the stadiums and a lot on the line, you automatically get up for it.

“You don’t have to force yourself, so there’s a blessing in disguise there. We’re looking forward to it. A final is always a special occasion, and I think the boys are excited for tomorrow.”

Play at the Wanderers in Johannesburg is scheduled to get underway at 17:30 on Saturday.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg