Centurion, January 19: Joe Root played a T20 masterclass to lead Paarl Royals to a dramatic eight-wicket victory over Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 2025 on Saturday.
Root’s unbeaten 92 off 60 balls anchored the Royals’ chase of 212/5, completing the task with just two balls to spare. His knock was a blend of impeccable placement, timing, and innovation, featuring 11 boundaries and two sixes, proving that T20 cricket isn’t all about power.
The Royals suffered an early blow when in-form Lhuan-dre Pretorius was dismissed for a duck off the very first ball of the chase, disappointing the sea of pink-clad fans at Centurion. However, this setback gave way to a breakout performance from Rubin Hermann, the elder brother of Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s Jordan Hermann. Rubin marked his debut with a scintillating 56 off 33 balls (5×4, 3×6), forming a blistering 125-run partnership with Root in just 69 balls.
With the foundation laid, Royals captain David Miller stepped in to finish the job, contributing to an unbroken 88-run stand with Root off 48 balls, securing a crucial win for the team.
For the Capitals, a strong effort from Will Smeed (54 off 34 balls), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (42 off 29 balls), and Kyle Verreynne (45 off 23 balls) had set an imposing total. However, their efforts ultimately fell short.
On a pitch ideal for batting, Royals’ mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman made a key impact, taking 2/28 in his four overs, playing a critical role in the team’s win alongside Root’s brilliance.