The inaugural edition of the SA20, the new premier T20 League competition, is nearing its end. The league stages are now over, and the top four teams are now gearing up for the semi-finals. The final match of the league stage was played between Paarl Royals and Pretoria Capitals, who will also play in the first semi-final of the tournament.
The match between the Capitals and the Royals saw the former take away the game by a margin of 59 runs. Jimmy Neesham was the pick of their bowlers as he took three wickets in the game but conceded 28 runs in the two overs that he bowled.
However, Neesham’s second wicket to dismiss Evan Jones was spectacular, thanks to Adil Rashid’s fielding prowess. On a short-pitched delivery, Jones went for the pull and edged it down to the fine leg. Rashid dove forward as he collected a brilliant catch.
Watch Adil Rashid’s catch
Neesham strikes, Pretoria likes ?#RoarSaamMore #PCvPR #CapitalsUniverse #SA20 pic.twitter.com/WbIcLZDMmU
— Pretoria Capitals (@PretoriaCapsSA) February 7, 2023
In the meantime, Paarl Royals advanced to the SA20 semifinals despite losing to table-toppers Pretoria Capitals by 59 runs in the final league game of the inaugural season at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The hosts batted first and scored 226/5 in 20 overs, leaving Paarl fighting for the final semifinal spot.
Early in the chase, it became clear that the Royals were chasing 163 to keep their net run rate above that of the Durban Super Giants. Even that proved difficult as they fell to 38/3 in the PowerPlay with Jason Roy, Paul Stirling, and Mitchell Van Buuren out.
Jos Buttler held the fort at one end with little help from Eoin Morgan (24 off 12), but when former England captain and Paarl’s skipper David Miller fell, their chances of progress seemed slim. Sixty-two runs were still required off 38 balls, but Buttler’s experience shone through as he overcame a shaky start to take the responsibility of keeping Paarl over the NRR line.
