Cricket
Royals edge champions by one run in derby thriller─── MORGAN PIEK 08:29 Sat, 03 Jan 2026
The first Cape derby of the SA20 lived up to all the hype, serving up yet another humdinger as the Paarl Royals edged MI Cape Town by a single run at a buzzing Boland Park in Paarl on Friday night.
It marked the Royals’ second win of the campaign, while alarm bells are starting to ring for the defending champions. MI Cape Town remain winless after three defeats and a no result, leaving them searching for answers early in the season.
Asa Tribe. Photo: Cricinfo
Put in to bat, Paarl produced a composed yet powerful display, led by teenage sensation Lhuan-Dré Pretorius. The Potchefstroom-born youngster, who narrowly missed out on national selection for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, played with a point to prove – and did so emphatically.
Pretorius was sublime, smashing ten fours and two sixes on his way to an unbeaten 98 off 65 balls, steering the Royals to a competitive 181/3 in their 20 overs. England’s Asa Tribe chipped in with a fluent 51 off 34 deliveries, striking five fours and a six, while skipper David Miller added a handy 19.
For MI Cape Town, Afghanistan and franchise captain Rashid Khan was the standout with the ball, returning figures of 2/31, while New Zealand left-armer Trent Boult claimed 1/33.
In reply, MI Cape Town showed plenty of intent but once again struggled to build meaningful partnerships. Rassie van der Dussen anchored the chase with a solid 59 off 42 balls, while Ryan Rickelton – another player unlucky to miss World Cup selection – blasted 36 off just 20.
Rashid Khan added late fireworks with a brisk 35 off 18, but it wasn’t enough as the champions fell agonisingly short on 180/8.
Ottiniel Baartman. Photo: Cricinfo
Ottniel Baartman was once again the chief destroyer for the Royals, claiming 4/51 in his four overs, while Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza was simply sublime, particularly up front, finishing with outstanding figures of 3/27.
The action continues on Saturday with a Gauteng double-header. At 13:00, log-leaders Joburg Super Kings host two-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape at the Wanderers, before the spotlight shifts to SuperSport Park at 17:30 where the Pretoria Capitals take on the Durban Super Giants.
The Cape derby rivalry resumes on Sunday at 15:30, when MI Cape Town welcome the Paarl Royals to Newlands in the Mother City for the return clash.
