In a landmark victory for the franchise, Paarl Royals finally conquered their Newlands hoodoo on Sunday, securing a dominant seven-wicket bonus-point triumph over arch-rivals MI Cape Town in SA20 Season 4. This historic win, their first over the coastal rivals at the iconic venue, propelled the Royals into second position on the league table.
Raza's Magic and Bowling Dominance Seal the Deal
The cornerstone of this emphatic victory was a phenomenal bowling display led by Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza. The off-spinner, continuing his brilliant form, delivered a decisive spell of 4 wickets for just 13 runs in his four overs. He was ably supported by the young pace of Nqobani Mokoena (2/10) and the experience of Ottneil Baartman (2/8). This collective effort skittled the MI Cape Town batting lineup for a paltry 88 runs in 18.4 overs, which stands as their lowest-ever total in the SA20 competition.
Composed Chase Secures Bonus Point
Chasing a modest target, the Royals lost an early wicket but were steadied by a solid 54-run partnership between Asa Tribe and Rubin Hermann. Tribe top-scored with a composed 34 runs off 27 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, while Hermann contributed 18. Although both set batters were dismissed before the finish, Kyle Verreynne and captain David Miller (19*) ensured there were no further hiccups, guiding the team to 90/3 in just 13 overs. This swift chase secured the crucial bonus point, completing a comprehensive Western Cape derby double for the Royals.
Climbing the Table and Post-Match Reactions
With this win, Paarl Royals have amassed 13 points, moving to second spot and closing the gap to just two points behind leaders Joburg Super Kings. For MI Cape Town, it was a day to forget at their home fortress. Unsurprisingly, Sikandar Raza was named Player of the Match for his match-winning four-wicket haul.
Expressing his delight, Raza said, "It's nice to win the game and know your contribution in a win feels more special." He also praised the tournament's quality and his captain, David Miller, stating, "Miller, as a captain, he's always there when you're bowling and he's always calm. It rubs off on the bowlers too."
Brief Scores:
- MI Cape Town: 88 all out in 18.4 overs (Reeza Hendricks 18; Sikandar Raza 4/13, Nqobani Mokoena 2/10, Ottneil Baartman 2/8).
- Paarl Royals: 90/3 in 13 overs (Asa Tribe 34, David Miller 19*; Corbin Bosch 1/9).
