PR VS MICT T20S

Right then, MI Cape Town will be delighted to return to winning ways, and the early signs are promising for a team that finished at the bottom of the table in the past two seasons. As for the Royals, while they may not have claimed the win, they can take solace in denying MI the bonus point, a factor that could be crucial in the playoff race. The action continues in the 2025 SA20 League with a double-header on Tuesday, 14th January. In the first game of the day, the Pretoria Capitals will take on the Sunrisers Eastern Cape at 4.30 pm IST (11 am GMT). This will be followed by Durban's Super Giants squaring off against the Joburg Super Kings at 9 pm IST (3.30 pm GMT). As always, our build-up for both games will begin a lot sooner. See you then. Cheers!

The captain of the Paarl Royals, David Miller says that he is very disappointed with the way they batted. Mentions that it was quite encouraging after seeing the late hitting from the tail. Adds that he is disappointed with the way they capitulated after the openers gave a good start. Tells that it wasn't a great game tonight but they will take the positives out of it and hope for a quick turnaround. Mentions that they need to execute well going ahead. States that they will come back stronger.

Rashid Khan, the MI Cape Town skipper, says that it is a brilliant win for them, and at home in front of a sell-out crowd, it is more special. Adds that the guys bowled well after the Powerplay and brought them back into the game. Mentions that it is the hunger that he loves about this team as all the players want to give their best and all the senior players stood up today to win this game. Tells that they want to carry this momentum and they have good big hitters in the team who can finish strongly. Concludes that it is about thinking about what one's area of strength is and bowl accordingly.

Kagiso Rabada is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning performance of 2/22 from 4 overs including two wicket-maidens. He says that getting the wicket of Joe Root was good as he is a fantastic player and can dent any team. Adds that he tries his best in every game he plays. Concludes that he tries to bring positivity to the group and whenever any youngster comes into the squad, he tries to make himself comfortable by taking the pressure off him.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after opting to bat first, MI Cape Town lost Ryan Rickelton early but recovered through a solid stand between Rassie van der Dussen and Reeza Hendricks with Reeza scoring a fine fifty. Despite losing momentum in the middle overs, late fireworks from Delano Potgieter and Dewald Brevis took MI to 172. At the halfway stage, it seemed they might have fallen 15-20 runs short, given the dominant position they were in when Rassie and Reeza were at the crease. The Royals were ordinary in the field, missing key chances, but Dayyaan Galiem stood out with impressive figures of 3 for 24 from 4 overs.

That was the catalyst for a dramatic collapse, as the incoming batters lacked a clear approach and perished trying to force the issue with big shots. George Linde and Rashid Khan quickly joined the party, adding further misery to the Royals. The final blow came when Dinesh Karthik was run out after a mix-up, sealing the Royals' fate. From there on, the Royals' focus shifted to whether they could surpass 137 and deny MI Cape Town the bonus point. Thanks to some explosive hitting from Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Kwena Maphaka, they managed to achieve the task.

First home game of the season and the Rashid Khan-led MI Cape Town have treated the fans to a resounding victory. Although the joy of the win was slightly tempered by the Royals' tail, which denied them a bonus point through some late hitting, the overall result will be a big relief for the team. The Royals got off to a fast start, with Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Joe Root continuing from where they left off in the previous game. It looked ominous for MI Cape Town, but Kagiso Rabada provided the breakthrough with his very first ball. He followed it up with another wicket maiden to dismiss the other opener.

MI CAPE TOWN HAS WON THIS GAME BY 33 RUNS! On a good length, outside off, going away, Kwena Maphaka switches the stance and tries to play the reverse scoop over the keeper but misses.

Full around off, Ngidi comes forward and drills it down the ground to mid on for a single.

The Royals have successfully managed to deny MI a bonus point! Delano Potgieter serves it very full, on off, Kwena Maphaka jams it out towards mid off for a single.

FOUR! CLEVER! Full, outside off, Kwena Maphaka comes forward and drives it wide of cover for a boundary. He is really getting into the nerves of MI Cape Town. 1 needed off 3 balls for the Royals to deny MI the bonus point.

SIX! WOW! Kwena Maphaka is doing all he can to deny MI a bonus point. Full, outside off, from over the wicket, Kwena Maphaka makes room and slogs it over the deep mid-wicket fence. Rashid runs into his left from long on and makes a slide to stop the boundary. Gets his left hand to the ball but it is not enough as the ball gets parried over the ropes.

Full outside off, Ngidi tries to dig it out but gets the bottom edge to short third for a single.

Length ball, outside off, Ngidi dabs it to point and tries to sneak in a single. Rabada throws it at the bowler's end but misses and the batters get a single off the overthrow.

A yorker, just outside off, Ngidi comes down the track and tries to squeeze it but fails to do so.

Goes fuller, around middle, Kwena Maphaka flicks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.