Boland beat the Highveld Strikers by three wickets with two balls to spare in an exciting Standard Bank Cup match in Paarl on Wednesday night.

The Strikers won the toss and elected to bat in the warm, afternoon conditions but only managed to post a moderate total of 176 for eight in their allotted 45 overs, thanks to a quick-fire 53 from Nic Pothas off just 49 balls.

Boland however, struggled to maintain the moderate run rate of just above four an over and only the heroics of former South African wicketkeeper Steve Palframan, who was responsible for the bulk of the 27 runs hit off the final two overs, won the day.

Palframan top scored with 76 from 91 balls. He rightfully earned the man of the match award for his role in the victory that sets his team up well for the semi-finals of the competition.

It was just about a lone effort from Palframan who received scant support from his teammates. Gerhard Strydom managed to score 23 while Brad Player notched up 19 runs.

Earlier Marthinus Otto stroked a classy 40 for the Strikers from 56 balls with two fours and two sixes, but as with Boland there were not enough contributions from the top order.

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