Johannesburg – The hopes of the Lions finishing top of the log took a blow on Sunday, with a five-wicket defeat to the Dolphins in their RamSlam challenge match in Bloemfontein.
The Dolphins stuttered somewhat in their chase of a moderate 122 to win set by the Lions, but in the end they ran out comfortable victors with five balls to spare.
Dolphins batsman David Miller did enough with 42 unbeaten from 37 balls, and a 54-run stand with Khaya Zondo (28) for the third wicket, to steer his side home for just their third win of their campaign as defending champions in the competition.
The second-placed Lions needed a win in their penultimate game before the knockout stages, as they were already three points behind the table-topping Cobras, who were due to play the Knights later in the day.
The Lions could only manage 121 for seven in their 20 overs.
Back from Proteas duty, Quinton de Kock (9) joined West Indian Chris Gayle (6) at the top of the order, but both openers were out inside the first five overs as Dolphins bowler Robbie Frylinck collected their prized scalps.
Frylinck first had Gayle bowled off an inside edge, before De Kock holed-out to Ryan McLaren on the boundary as the Lions fell to 19 for two.
Wickets continued to tumble with Rassie van der Dussen the best score of the top six with just 20 to his name before he was dismissed.
Chris Morris, coming in at number seven, scored 37 runs from 22 balls to restore a semblance of respectability to the Lions score, but still the Dolphins were left chasing a score at only a shade over a run a ball.
Dwayne Bravo ended with the best figures for the Dolphins with 2/24 in his four overs. – Sapa