After a slightly untidy start that saw them concede plenty of extras in the first three overs, the Royals quickly wrestled control after the Capitals opted to bat. Back in the eleven, Baartman made an immediate impact, striking with his first two deliveries to remove Connor Esterhuizen and Jordan Cox, both undone by movement and pace. Bjorn Fortuin tightened the screws after the powerplay, accounting for Wihan Lubbe as Capitals slid to 43 for 3. Dewald Brevis and Shai Hope attempted to rebuild but Sikandar Raza broke the stand soon after his introduction, skidding one through Brevis to keep the hosts on the back foot. Hope struggled to find fluency and was eventually picked off by Raza, leaving Capitals once again searching for impetus.
