Paarl Royals defeated Durban Super Giants by six wickets in a thrilling last-ball finish at Boland Park on Tuesday. Royals won the toss and elected to bowl first, immediately putting pressure on the Super Giants’ batting lineup.
Sunil Narine provided a blistering start, smashing 22 (11) before Rahman trapped him on the boundary in the third over. The opener attempted to clear the rope, but Hermann held a crucial catch, leaving the Super Giants at 33/1.
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Jos Buttler’s dismissal in the fifth over dealt another blow to the visitors. The batsman stepped out of his crease chasing a Bjorn Fortuin delivery, and Pretorius reacted brilliantly to complete the stumping with Buttler on just 3 (9). The powerplay concluded with Durban struggling at 44/2.
Aiden Markram and David Bedingham steadied the innings, forging a vital 74-run partnership that brought stability. The pair guided Durban to 75/2 at the halfway mark, scoring at seven runs per over.
Mujeeb broke the dangerous partnership in the 15th over when Bedingham, having made 25(26), found the fielder in the deep. Markram followed soon after, falling for a well-crafted 66 (46) when Mokoena’s quick delivery found the edge, and Pretorius completed a spectacular diving catch behind the stumps.
Heinrich Klaasen’s cameo of 29 (18) balls ended when he skied a Mokoena delivery straight to Pretorius in the final over. Durban Super Giants posted 186 from their 20 overs.
Chasing 187, Paarl Royals lost Asa Tribe early, cleaned bowled by David Wiese for 3 in the third over. Lhuan-Dre Pretorius followed in the fifth over, caught for 18, leaving the hosts at 37/2.
Dan Lawrence survived a critical dropped catch by Bedingham in the 11th over and capitalised magnificently. He reached his half-century at the end of the 13th over and constructed an impressive 105-run partnership with Ruben Hermann.
Lawrence departed for 63 (41) in the 15th over, caught on the boundary off Eathan Bosch’s bowling. Hermann reached his fifty in the 16th over and survived another crucial dropped catch by Buttler when on 57 in the 18th over.
David Miller’s dismissal for 2 left the Royals needing careful navigation in the final overs. The last over arrived with six runs required from six balls. Raza dispatched Wiese’s final ball for a massive six over the leg side, securing a thrilling six-wicket victory.
Missed opportunities ultimately cost the Super Giants dearly.
