NEW DELHI: With a fierce five-wicket victory over the Durban Super Giants at Kingsmead on Thursday, Paarl Royals solidified their place atop the SA20 Season 3 standings.
With three league games left, DSG, meanwhile, is still stuck in the basement with eight points and will have a difficult time making the playoffs. If Lance Klusener’s side wins every game with a bonus point, they may now achieve a maximum of 23 points.
With 20 points already, the Royals are very close to being the first team to earn a spot in the Season 3 playoffs.
Mujeeb-ur-Rahman of the Royals and Noor Ahmad of the Super Giants faced off in a battle of the Afghanistan mystery spinners.
Mujeeb produced another masterpiece of 2/23 to restrict the Super Giants to 142/7.
Given that DSG dominated right out of the gate thanks to a 62-run opening partnership between Matthew Breetzke (25) and Quinton de Kock (43), it was an incredible effort.
De Kock’s move to the top of the order undoubtedly paid off, but he lost to Mujeeb in deep long-off just when it appeared that he was getting into his rhythm.
As the Royals strengthened their grip in the middle overs, Mujeeb also dismissed Heinrich Klaasen for two.
All-rounders Jon-Jon Smuts (32) and Wiaan Mulder (24) tried to turn things around, but the Royals now had the upper hand.
With another quick 25 off 13 balls (4×4) from Lhuan-dre Pretorius, they were even able to overcome Joe Root’s early loss.
The Super Giants looked on Noor Ahmad to carry on the valiant actions of his countryman Mujeeb.
With a brilliant 44 off just 22 balls (4×4, 3×6) to lead the run chase, Rubin Hermann was once again proving to be the Royals’ gem of the match.
To clean bowl the well-set Hermann, however, Noor produced what may have been the ball of the match.
Ahmad only had one success that evening, which was unfortunate for the Super Giants.
The Royals came very close to winning when Mitchell van Buuren put down the anchor with a composed 44.
The Super Giants will need to get back together fast before they travel to Newlands to play MI Cape Town, while the Royals can now confidently look forward to their matchup against the Pretoria Capitals on Saturday.