A middle-order collapse from MI Cape Town helped Paarl Royals snatch a dramatic one-run win in the SA20.
Chasing 182, Cape Town’s chase got off to a strong start with Ryan Rickelton (36 off 20) and Rassie van Dussen (59 off 42) putting on 77 for the first wicket.
Cape Town were 109-1 but dramatically slipped to 118-6 in a 18-ball spell with Ottneil Baartman (4-51) and Sikandar Raza (3-27) both picking up two wickets.
However, captain Rashid Khan crashed 35 off 18 balls, in a stand of 51 off 27 balls with George Linde.
That set up a scenario where Cape Town needed 15 from the last over.
Rashid took two from the first ball before he holed out to long-off off Baartman.
Kagiso Rabada hit his first delivery for six to leave seven from three balls required, but he picked out long-on next ball.
Trent Boult took a single next, leaving six required from the last ball, but George Linde could only hit for four.
Earlier, Royals posted 181-3 with Lhuan-dre Pretorius making 98 not out, which is the highest individual score in Paarl Royals’ history.
He was supported by Glamorgan and England Lions batter Asa Tribe, who made 51 off 34 balls at the top of the order.
The win sees Royals climb to third, while defending champions Cape Town are bottom, having failed to win in their first four matches.