In 17th match of the SA20 played in Johannesburg, half century of Wihan Lubbe helped Paarl Royals to get five-wicket victory over home side Joburg Super Kings. Despite Reeza Hendricks’ unbeaten 79-run knock, the Super Kings while batting first could score only 168/3 in their quota of 20 overs. Joburg faced first loss of innings in fifth over when their opener and skipper Faf du Plessis (17) was out with just 23 runs on the board. Leus du Plooy then joined Hendricks at the crease and the pair put together a brisk 41-run stand that lasted with the former walking back in the 10th over. He scored a quickfire 30 off just 16 deliveries, laced with four boundaries and a six. Hendricks was then involved in another cautious stand when he, alongside Sibonelo Makhanya, added 44 runs for the third wicket at the cost of 36 balls. Makhanya scored a scratchy 15 off 18 deliveries and could hit a single boundary. Moeen Ali bolstered the Super Kings’ total with a brisk cameo at the backend with Hendricks. Ali scored a 12-ball 23 not out while Hendricks top-scored for the Kings with an unbeaten 79 off 56 deliveries, featuring seven boundaries and three sixes.

For the Royals, Andile Phehlukwayo, Fabian Allen and Lungi Ngidi made one scalp each. In pursuit of the 169-run target, the Royals notched up 171/5 in 19 overs, courtesy of Lubbe’s anchoring 57, paired up with Dane Vilas’ quickfire 42. The visitors, too, had a shaky start to their innings as they were three down with just 55 runs on the board in nine overs. Following the slump, Vilas joined Lubbe in the middle and the pair launched an astounding recovery. They added 95 runs for the fourth wicket before Lubbe had an agonizing end to his courageous knock. He smashed three boundaries and as many sixes on his way to top score for the Royals with a 48-ball 57, before walking back to the dugout in the 18th over. Vilas followed his footsteps in the next over but not before putting the Royals in touching distance to an important victory. He struck a 26-ball 42, which included four boundaries and a six. Later, Fabian Allen’s 17-run cameo, which came off just seven deliveries, powered the Royals to their fifth victory in the SA20. Moeen Ali led the bowling attack for the Super Kings with 2/31 while Imran Tahir and Lizaad Williams struck out a batter apiece. The thrilling victory lifted Paarl Royals to the top of the SA20 standings with 22 points in six matches while Joburg Super Kings remained fifth with six points in as many matches.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)