Root's Royals cruise past MI Cape Town in SA20
- Published
Joe Root's Paarl Royals cruised to a six-wicket win over MI Cape Town on the back of teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius' superb 83 from 52 balls in the SA20.
Having been set 159 to win, Root scored a run-a-ball 15 for the Royals as he played second fiddle to Pretorius in a 50-run opening stand.
While the former England skipper, who also took 1-24 with the ball, was dismissed by Trent Boult in the last over of the powerplay, 18-year-old Pretorius powered on and hit eight fours and three sixes.
The left-hander was eventually run out with the Royals 25 short of their target but captain David Miller's 24 not out got them over the line with an over to spare.
South Africa international Rassie van der Dussen had earlier batted through the innings for MI Cape Town, finishing unbeaten on 91 from 64 balls with five fours and five sixes.
However, support was limited and while the away side kept wickets in hand, spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2-27) was the pick of a Royal bowling attack that ensured Cape Town never got away from them.
A total of 158-4 proved to be insufficient thanks to Pretorius' second blistering half-century of the tournament.
MI Cape Town remain top of the table despite a second loss in four games, a point clear of the Royals, who have won two of their first three.
