Paarl Royals fans erupted in joy on Tuesday evening as Sikandar Raza delivered a stunning final-ball six to secure a thrilling six-wicket victory over Durban's Super Giants. The Zimbabwean all-rounder held his nerve in a tense finish at Boland Park, sending the ball soaring over the boundary when his team needed two runs from the last delivery.
Dramatic Chase Sets New Record
The Royals completed the highest successful chase ever recorded at Boland Park, successfully chasing down Durban's Super Giants' imposing total of 186/5. The victory propelled Paarl Royals to second place in the SA20 standings with 19 points, edging ahead of Sunrisers Eastern Cape based on their superior number of wins.
Heroic Batting Performances
While Raza provided the dramatic finish with his unbeaten 27 off just 13 balls, the Royals had multiple batting heroes throughout their chase. Rubin Hermann remained not out on 65 from 45 deliveries, while Dan Lawrence contributed a crucial 63 from 41 balls. Their third-wicket partnership proved particularly devastating, adding 106 runs in only 61 deliveries to keep the chase on track.
Lawrence displayed exceptional aggression against the spinners, hitting Simon Harmer for six and taking boundaries off Liam Livingstone's bowling. Hermann's steady innings earned him the Player of the Match award, winning 45% of the fan vote ahead of Lawrence, Livingstone, and Aiden Markram.
Super Giants' Strong Batting Display
Durban's Super Giants posted their competitive total thanks to several strong performances with the bat. Captain Aiden Markram led from the front with 66 runs from 46 balls, while Liam Livingstone provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 32 from just 10 deliveries. Heinrich Klaasen contributed 29 from 18 balls as the Super Giants' power-hitters unleashed their skills in the final overs.
Despite the batting onslaught, Paarl Royals' Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman delivered an economical spell, taking 2 wickets for just 22 runs amidst the run-fest.
Standings Implications
The defeat leaves Durban's Super Giants in fifth position with 14 points, facing a must-win situation in their final round-robin match. The two teams will meet again on Saturday at Kingsmead in what promises to be another crucial encounter in the SA20 tournament.
