By Tim Douglas 
MI Cape Town delighted a packed Newlands stadium with a commanding 33-run win over Paarl Royals in the first SA20 Cape derby of Season 3. Under a picturesque evening sky with Table Mountain as the backdrop, MI Cape Town delivered an exceptional all-around performance to return to winning ways.
Stellar Batting Performance
New recruit Reeza Hendricks led the charge, showcasing his prowess with a stylish 59 off 37 balls. His partnership of 78 runs with Rassie van der Dussen (43 off 33) set a solid foundation. Delano Potgieter’s late blitz of 29 runs off 18 balls helped MI Cape Town reach a formidable total of 172/7.
Rabada’s Double Strike
The Royals started their chase with a promising partnership between Joe Root (26) and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (26), scoring 38 runs in the first three overs. However, the introduction of Kagiso Rabada turned the game on its head. Rabada’s successive wicket maiden overs removed both Root and Pretorius, crippling the Royals’ momentum.
Spin Magic
The spin duo of George Linde and Rashid Khan then took control, dismantling the Royals’ middle order. Linde finished with impressive figures of 3/15, while Rashid chipped in with 2/28, sealing a comprehensive win for MI Cape Town.
The two teams are set to clash again in a rematch at Boland Park on Wednesday.