Paarl Royals, led by David Miller and featuring India’s Dinesh Karthik, made history on Monday by becoming the first SA20 team to achieve a perfect home record at Boland Park.
In a thrilling encounter, Dayyan Galiem and Mitchell van Buuren held their nerves to secure the win for the Royals, with six runs needed off the final over.
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This marks the first time an SA20 side has remained unbeaten at home throughout the league phase, surpassing Joburg Super Kings’ previous best of four wins and one washout at the Wanderers in the 2023 edition.
The loss eliminated Keshav Maharaj’s Durban Super Giants from playoff contention, as they have only managed one win from nine matches.
“Five from five at home, been fantastic support from fans. The local fans really do get behind us. Nice achievement, the guys have been phenomenal, sticking to their plans. So good to see the youngsters coming through,” Miller said at the post-match presentation.
South Africa’s young talents, Luhan-dre Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka, played crucial roles in the Royals’ continued dominance at the top of the SA20 points table.
Maphaka delivered his best SA20 performance to date, with figures of 2/22, helping restrict the Super Giants to 143/7.
Pretorius then clubbed 43 off 29 deliveries (5x4s, 1×6) in the successful run-chase, reclaiming the top run-scorer position from teammate Joe Root, who was dismissed LBW off the first delivery of the innings.
The Royals had already qualified for the knockouts with seven wins from eight matches, with their only loss coming against MI Cape Town. They have now won six matches in a row.
