SA20: Paarl Royals Thrash MI Cape Town By 7 Wickets To Keep Rivals Winless

Paarl Royals handed defending champions MI Cape Town yet another setback in the fourth edition of the SA20 with a convincing seven-wicket victory on Sunday.

Having lost their previous four matches, MI Cape Town needed a win to revive their campaign, but their performance fell short as they were bowled out for a meagre 88.

The Royals solidified their third position on the table, comfortably chasing down the target in 13 overs. They now have 12 points from four matches, trailing Joburg Super Kings and Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

How Paarl Royals Beat MI Cape Town?

On a Newlands pitch that favoured the bowlers, 19-year-old pacer Nqobani Mokoena (2/10) and the experienced Ottneil Baartman (2/8) dismantled the top order of the home team. Spinner Sikandar Raza (4/13), making his debut in the SA20,

exploited the surface bounce with his off-spin to take four wickets, effectively ending MI’s hopes of a comeback.

Mokoena set the tone by delivering a short-pitched ball that struck MI opener Ryan Rickelton on the ribs, signalling a tough day for the batsmen. Rickelton and his opening partner Rassie van der Dussen were both dismissed attempting poorly judged pull shots against Mokoena and Raza.

Former West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran (17) and South African batter Reeza Hendricks (18) tried to stabilise the innings with a 24-run partnership. However, their effort was too slow, consuming nearly six overs. When Pooran fell to a superb running catch by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne off Baartman, the MI innings crumbled, losing the next six wickets for just 33 runs.

The Royals’ chase also began shakily as veteran Trent Boult bowled Lhuan-dre Pretorius in the first over. Yet, young batter Asa Tribe (34) and the experienced Rubin Hermann (18) steadied the innings with a sensible 54-run partnership for the second wicket, ensuring victory.

Despite the efforts of Boult, Kagiso Rabada, Corbin Bosch, and Afghan star Rashid Khan, the total was too modest to defend, and the Royals secured a comfortable win.

SA20 Brief Scores:

MI Cape Town: 88 all out in 18.4 overs (Reeza Hendricks 18; Sikandar Raza 4/13, Ottneil Baartman 2/8, Nqobani Mokoena 2/10) lost to Paarl Royals: 90/3 in 13 overs (Asa Tribe 34, Rubin Hermann 18) by 7 wickets.

(With inputs from Agencies)