ROYALS DOMINATE MI IN BETWAY SA20 CAPE DERBY

The Paarl Royals delivered a statement performance against MI Cape Town, cruising to a seven‑wicket win and a bonus point in their Betway SA20 clash at Newlands on Sunday.

From the first ball to the final over, the Royals were in control, and their rivals couldn’t live with them on the day.

MI Cape Town won the toss and chose to bat first, but it proved a disastrous decision. The defending champions were skittled out for just 88, their lowest total of the season, as Zimbabwean all‑rounder Sikandar Raza ran through the innings with figures of 4‑13.

Support came from young seamer Nqobani Mokoena (2‑10) and experienced bowler Ottneil Baartman (2‑8), leaving MI reeling on a slow pitch.

Chasing a modest target, the Royals hardly broke a sweat. Asa Tribe led the charge with a lively 34 off 28 balls, anchoring the chase before departing.

Veteran David Miller then finished things off with an unbeaten 19 from just nine deliveries, sealing the win comfortably with plenty of overs to spare.

Not only did the victory extend the Royals’ winning run in the SA20, but it also marked their first-ever triumph over MI Cape Town at Newlands and handed them Cape derby bragging rights.

MI Cape Town, by contrast, were left searching for answers. The defending champions have now lost four of their first five matches, leaving them rooted near the bottom of the points table and in desperate need of a turnaround if they’re to make the playoffs.

Image credit: The Citizen