SA20 Season 4: Lhuan-dre Pretorius Blitzkrieg Helps Paarl Royals Down MI Cape Town By Single Run In Derby

Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ lit up Season 4 of SA20 with an unbeaten 98, propelling Paarl Royals to a thrilling one-run victory over MI Cape Town in the Western Cape derby at Boland Park on Friday evening.

Pretorius,

who had a quiet start in the first couple of matches, returned to form at his home ground, reminiscent of his high-scoring exploits last season. The teenager displayed his aggressive best, hitting 10 boundaries and two sixes during his 65-ball innings.

Royals’ seamer Ottniel Baartman had 15 runs to defend in the final over. After Kagiso Rabada smashed the third delivery for six over long off, it seemed MI Cape Town had gained the upper hand. However, Baartman (4/51) had Rabada caught on the boundary with the next ball, leaving MI Cape Town needing six runs off the final delivery for victory. George Linde made good contact, carving a length delivery over the covers, but the ball fell just inches short of the boundary rope, sending the Royals faithful into a frenzy.

The home supporters were hoping for Pretorius to achieve his maiden T20 century, but it was not to be as Rabada delivered a dot ball to close out the Royals’ innings.

The four Player of the Match candidates were Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sikandar Raza, Asa Tribe, and Rassie van der Dussen, with Pretorius winning 72% of the fan vote.

The visitors were under pressure from the outset, with Pretorius and Asa Tribe dominating the Powerplay. The Royals’ opening pair put on exactly 100 in 10.4 overs before MI Cape Town captain Rashid Khan (2/31) had the Jersey international caught for 51 off 34 balls.

MI Cape Town enjoyed an equally strong start, with Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton (36) adding 77 for the first wicket in 7.5 overs. However, Royals’ new recruit Sikandar Raza (3/27) made an impactful debut at Betway SA20, removing Rickelton and the dangerous Nicholas Pooran, and later clean bowling Tom Moores for a first-ball duck, curbing MI Cape Town’s momentum.

But it was the double-wicket over from Baartman, where the seamer dismissed both Van der Dussen (59) and Jason Smith (1) within three balls, that ultimately derailed MI Cape Town’s chase.

Double-header action today, January 3 Joburg Super Kings vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape at 4:30 PM, Pretoria Capitals vs Durban’s Super Giants at 9:00 PM, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network