Lhuan-dre Pretorius' unbeaten 98 powers Paarl Royals to thrilling one-run win over MI Cape Town

Lhuan-dre Pretorius ignited his SA20 Season 4 campaign with a superb unbeaten 98, guiding Paarl Royals to a dramatic one-run win over MI Cape Town in a pulsating Western Cape derby at Boland Park on Friday night.

With 15 to defend in the final over, Royals seamer Ottniel Baartman found himself under severe pressure after Kagiso Rabada launched the third ball for a six over long-off. The momentum appeared to have shifted, but Baartman struck back immediately, having Rabada caught on the boundary with the very next delivery.


That left MI Cape Town needing six off the final ball. George Linde struck a length delivery sweetly over cover, only for the ball to drop inches short of the rope, triggering wild celebrations among the home supporters.

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After a quiet start to the season, Pretorius rediscovered his touch at his favourite venue. The teenage opener was back to his attacking best, striking 10 fours and two sixes during a commanding 65-ball innings. Although the Royals crowd urged him towards a maiden T20 hundred, Rabada’s final-ball dot denied him the milestone.

MI Cape Town were under pressure from the outset as Pretorius and Asa Tribe dominated the powerplay. The opening pair added exactly 100 in 10.4 overs before captain Rashid Khan (2/31) dismissed Tribe for 51 off 34 balls.

The visitors responded strongly with the bat, as Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton (36) put on 77 for the first wicket in 7.5 overs. However, new Royals signing Sikandar Raza (3/27) turned the contest, removing Rickelton and Nicholas Pooran before cleaning up Tom Moores with his first delivery.

Baartman then delivered the decisive blow, claiming both Van der Dussen (59) and Jason Smith (1) within three balls to derail MI Cape Town’s chase and seal a memorable win for the Royals.

Brief Scores

Paarl Royals: 181 for 3 in 20 overs (Lhuan-dre Pretorius 98 not out, Asa Tribe 51; Rashid Khan 2/31)

MI Cape Town: 180 for 8 in 20 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 59, Ryan Rickelton 36; Ottneil Baartman 4/51, Sikandar Raza 3/27)