Royals win nail-biting contest in Paarl, sinking MI Cape Town to the bottom of the table

The Paarl Royals beat MI Cape Town by one run at Boland Park on Friday evening, winning what was a nail-biting contest between the two teams.

The Royals have taken bragging rights after winning the first match of the Cape Derby in Paarl, sinking the defending champions to the bottom of the current standings with three losses in four games.

Chasing 182 runs to win the match, MI Cape Town’s opening pair of Rassie van der Dussen (59) and Ryan Rickelton (36) laid a solid foundation with a 77-run stand.

However, the Royals struck back, with Sikandar Raza (3/27) and Ottneil Baartman (4/51) led from the front with the ball in hand.

With the score on 118/6 in the 15th over, it all looked well and truly over for MI Cape Town until captain Rashid Khan walked to the crease.

Khan blasted 35 off 18, taking the visitors within 13 runs of the target with four balls remaining.

However, Baartman spoiled the show, dismissing Khan and Kagiso Rabada (6) to get his 50th wicket in the SA20, becoming the second player to achieve the feat after Marco Jansen.

Baartman’s ice-cold veins saw the Royals win the match by only one run, while MI Cape Town’s disappointing campaign continued as they sit without a victory in four games.

Earlier, MI Cape Town’s woeful start to the competition with ball in hand continued at Boland Park.

Having conceded 200-plus twice in the tournament already, the defending champions leaked 181 on Friday, a total the Royals, despite their powerful batting order, should not have reached considering the nature of the surface at Boland Park.

However, MI Cape Town’s bowling attack lacked consistency in lines and lengths, and the home team’s batting unit helped themselves on the freebies.

Paarl Royals’ opening batters Lhuan-dre Pretorius (98 not out) and Asa Tribe (51) did the most damage, combining for century stand before Tribe was dismissed by Rashid Khan (2/31) in the 11th over.

David Miller contributed a valuable cameo of 19 off 14, helping the hosts reach 181/3, a solid score considering the conditions in Paarl.

Match Scorecard

Paarl Royals: 181/3 (Lhuan-dre 98 not out, Asa Tribe 51; Rashid Khan 2/31)

MI Cape Town: 180/8 (Rassie van der Dussen 59, Ryan Rickelton 36; Ottneil Baartman 4/51)

Paarl Royals won by one run