The Aiden Markram-led Sunrisers Eastern Cape suffered yet another loss in their SA20 2025 campiagn as the Paarl Royals defeted them by 9 wickets at the Boland Park, Paarl on January 11, Saturday. (Match Highlights | More Cricket News)
Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the toss and opted to bat first but they were restricted to 175/5 in 20 overs. Zak Crawley (27 off 18) and Jordan Hermann (10 off 11) provided a brisk start but fell in quick succession. Tom Abell’s 20 (12) ensured momentum before a brilliant fielding effort by Lungi Ngidi and Dinesh Karthik resulted in his run-out.
Captain Aiden Markram anchored the innings with a splendid 82 off 49 balls, hitting 7 fours and 2 sixes. Tristan Stubbs added an unbeaten 28 off 26, but the Sunrisers fell short of a truly dominant total due to disciplined bowling by the Royals. Kwena Maphaka (2/35) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/27) led the Royals' attack effectively.
In response, the Royals’ chase was powered by a scintillating knock from 18-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who smashed 97 off just 51 deliveries playing with flair, using sweeps and reverse sweeps effectively to dominate the spinners. His innings included 5 fours and 10 sixes before Marco Jansen trapped him LBW.
Joe Root anchored the innings with a steady 62 off 44 balls, combining precision and composure. Captain David Miller added a calm 17 off 17 to see the Royals home. The partnership between Pretorius and Root (132 runs for the first wicket) laid the foundation for a comfortable chase.
This marks the second consecutive defeat for the defending champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, who were dismantled by MI Cape Town in the season opener, losing by a massive 97 runs. However, for the Paarl Royals, this was their first match of the SA20 2025 season, and they announced their arrival in style with a commanding 9-wicket victory.
