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9:47 PM IST and 6:17 PM Local Time: Paarl Royals have completely obliterated the MI Cape Town and have earned the victory by 7 wickets and with 7 overs to spare. This has been a dominating victory for them and the courtesy goes to the bowlers.

MICT skipper Rashid Khan decided to bat first on a surface that is conducive to batting. Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen got a few boundaries early in the innings but their 27-run opening stand was broken by Sikandar Raza. RVD got out for 14 and in the next over, Ryan Rickelton got out off Mokoena for 17.

Nicholas Pooran and Reeza Hendricks had a fidgety going but they added 24 runs off 33 balls. Pooran got out for 17 and the MICT fell like a pack of cards. Jason Smith, George Linde, skipper Rashid Khan, Corbin Bosch everybody got dismissed for cheap scores. Reeza top scored for MICT with his 18 off 24 balls. Eventually they got bundled out for just 88.

Sikandar Raza was the star of the show with the ball for the Royals picking up 4 wickets for just 13 runs. Nqobani Mokoena and Ottneil Baartman took a couple of wickets each. Mujeeb Ur Rahman took one.

MICT got a fantastic start when they came to defend the paltry total of 88. Trent Boult dismissed Lhuan-dre Pretorius for 1 in the third ball and bowled an economical over. Rabada conceded just a run in the second over. But the opener Asa Tribe and Rubin Hermann took the score to 46 at the end of the powerplay with their counter attack.

Hermann got out for 18 off 24 balls but Asa Tribe showed his class today. He tonked one off Trent Boult to get his first maximum and hit 3 fours and 2 sixes in his 28-ball stay to score 34 runs beside his name. His innings created the difference between the sides. Kyle Verreynne (10 off 15) and David Miller (19* off 9)ensured no other debacle happens and took their team home.

For MICT, Trent Boult, Corbin Bosch and Rashid Khan took one wicket each.

Rashid Khan (MI Cape Town Captain): "Yeah, this is extremely disappointing. It's not the kind of cricket that champion sides play, but it is the part of the game. You do have days where you get out early, but it is better if those days comes in the earlier days of the tournament, so we still have a chance, an opportunity, as long as we have that opportunity, we will keep pushing it and as a team we will bounce back stronger than this .

(On toss decision) I think we didn't play as good as we should have been. I think we have not played the kind of cricket that this franchise is famous for and the brand of cricket we play. I think we are just a little bit defensive and that is the area we find ourselves stuck in.

(On team confidence) In T20s you cannot think of what has happened in the past. We have to think individually, everybody is very experienced as I mentioned earlier and they very well know how to manage themselves, but it is just about making sure that you come with the right mindset and forget about where in the table we are. It is just about making sure to play good cricket and it is what I am expecting from everyone.

(On team chances)  Yes it is, if we can lose 4 games in a row, we can win 4 games in a row too, that is what t20 is all about. You just need one game get the momentum and we are that sort of a team who can win 4 or 5 back to back games. Six teams, you just have to be in top 4 and figure things out from there. I still have a strong belief on everyone, they will do the job for us."

Lowest Innings Totals for MI Cape Town in SA20:

88/10- vs Paarl Royals, Cape Town, 2025/26, TODAY

103/10- vs Paarl Royals, Paarl, 2024

113/10- Joburg Super Kings, Johannesburg, 2023

Time for the post-match presentations.

David Miller (Skipper of Paarl Royals): "(On Asa Tribe) Tribe is a phenomenal player - he hits strong shots and has incredible timing. His fifty in the last game and solid start here are testaments to his skill. I had to get to know him quickly after he joined us, and I've been impressed.

(On the season they are having so far) We've had a terrible start to the season, but the boys are finding their rhythm and roles nicely. I love the energy and celebrations - they're enjoying themselves and finding ways to win."

Sikandar Raza (Player of the Match): "Thank you very much. It is nice to win the game as I said in the halfway. When you contribute for the team it feels more special. It is nice to win the game again.

I heard many great things about this tournament but unfortunately due to some clash I couldn't come in year two and year three. A lot of South African and overseas boys say a lot of great things about this tournament when we meet. All the things are true. Fantastic tournament, beautiful ground, house full and when you get the man of the match, you can't ask more.

(On having David Miller as a skipper) As a captain it is very important. He is always there, always calm. I think that calmness is important when the things go tough. David doesn't speak much but he always keeps his bat talking. I am playing first time here and I am loving everything."

That marks the end of our coverage from the SA20 fixture between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals. Paarl Royals have got their 3rd victory from the 4 games and moved onto the 3rd position with 10 points. MICT remain wicketless and are dwelling at the bottom most position of the points table.

For now, this is Saptak Sanyal signing off on behalf of my co-commentators Utsav Chandak and Tarun and the scorer/analyst of this game Raju Khariya. Good night!