Paarl Royals continued to show why they love to play at the Boland Park. David Miller and his side played amazing cricket to beat MI Cape Town on Sunday. This was the third loss of the season for Kieron Pollard and his team.
It was MI Cape Town who won the toss and chose to bowl first and the decision backfired big time. Jason Roy and Jos Buttler stroked half-centuries to help their team reach 162/3 from their 20 overs.
There was a slight concern for the home side after David Miller had to retire hurt. The left-handed batter had seemed to injure his foot. Jos Buttler was named the skipper and the Englishman did well to marshal his troops.
Paarl Royals swat aside MI Cape Town’s challenge –
Put into bat first, the Paarl Royals pair of Jason Roy and Jos Buttler 116 runs for the 1st wicket. The stand came in 13.1 overs as the duo went hammer and tongs. It will be pleasing for Jos Buttler who has been struggling for form.
Thomas Kaber got the opening wicket when he had Jason Roy out for 69 runs. Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara settled under the ball to take the catch. The Lankan pacer was in the thick of action as he grabbed two wickets with the ball.
Jos Buttler was the first wicket when he was bowled by Thushara for 54 runs. The very next ball Fabian Allen was out for a first ball duck LBW to the 29-year-old. George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, and Sam Curran proved ineffective as the trio went wicketless.
MI Cape Town needed a good start with the bat but found themselves in immediate trouble. Bjorn Fortuin dismissed Rassie Van Der Dussen and Dewald Brevis in successive balls. Ryan Rickelton was out for 5 to give Obed McCoy his first wicket.
Connor Estherhuizen tried to fight back with 32 runs but Andile Phelukwayo got his big wicket. Tabraiz Shamsi then got the wickets of Sam Curran and Kieron Pollard off successive balls to seal MI Cape Town’s fate. Lungi Ngidi then struck the final nail in the coffin when he dismissed Liam Livingstone for 22 in Paarl’s favor.
Here’s how the fans reacted –
Give Bjorn Fortuin the 'Freedom of Paarl'. He really loves his hometown ground.#SA20#SA20League
— Ami (@AmiJaneD) January 21, 2024
Imaad Fortuin?? man with golden arm !! 3rd wicket for him#sa20
— anny? (@iamsunjusamson) January 21, 2024
MI Cape Town bamboozled here #SA20
— Nkosana (@TwinAtion) January 21, 2024
Ngidi just bowled Rabada ? I love how they both just chuckled #SA20
— Sarkastik Observer ? (@SiyaSindelo) January 21, 2024
Kagiso just said “but they have already won the game” and right after that Ngidi hits the stumps as he bats ???? #PRvMICT #SA20
— Problematic Marshmallow (@iamsheofbapedi) January 21, 2024
O crazy ?
Jos Buttler captaincy ???#SA20— Ritikk ? (@RitikkSaha69759) January 21, 2024
An absolutely royal performance from Paarl as they've thoroughly creamed MICT by 59 runs!!
Pollard choosing to bowl first will come up in discussions #SA20
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) January 21, 2024
Literally witnessed Paarl Royals brutally harassing MI Capetown.#PRvMICT #MICTvPR #SA20
— Sharon Solomon (@BSharan_6) January 21, 2024
