Sikandar Raza of Paarl Royals walks out during match 23 of the Betway SA20 season 4 between Paarl Royals (PR) and Durban Super Giants (DSG) held at the Boland Park Stadium in Paarl, South Africa on the 13th January 2026 Photo by Shaun Roy / Sportzpics for SA20
It’s been quite the turn-around for the Paarl Royals.
After being bowled out for 49 and losing their first game of this season’s SA20 competition, to Sunrisers Eastern Cape, David Miller’s team are now very much in with a shout of finishing top of the pile after the round robin phase.
Along with Pretoria Capitals, Joburg Super Kings and the Sunrisers, the Paarl Royals are locked in a battle for top spot with the league phase winding down.
Since that opening defeat the day after Boxing Day, Miller’s men have won four games, lost one and had a no-result. They’ve got three league games remaining, the first of which is against Pretoria Capitals in Centurion on Thursday.
“This table is so tight. I have to continually reiterate to the team that every game is so important,” said Miller on Tuesday night, following his team’s thrilling last-ball win against Durban’s Super Giants in Paarl.
Chasing a record 187 to win, the Royals got to their target on the last ball; Sikandar Raza smashing a six, for the victory. The Zimbabwe international finished 27 not out off 13, with other good contributions from Rubin Hermann (65 not out) and Dan Lawrence (63). Aiden Markram was DSG’s best batter with 66.
“We’ve got a good chance of qualifying now,” said Miller. “It’s quite a swing going from fifth to second and it will be nice to finish in the top two, that’s our goal. But nothing changes. We have to keep fighting for every run. We’ll take one game at a time.
“We’re next up against Pretoria and that’s usually a nice wicket, but we’re still going to need clear plans.”
‘It found the middle of the bat’
Speaking about their turn-around from game one, Miller said he was proud about what his side had achieved in the last few weeks.
“If you look at the start of our competition, given this position we’re in after seven games, I’ll take it and run with it,” said the veteran middle-order batter.
“We don’t have as much experience as some of the other teams, but we’ve been competitive, stayed in our lane, played the ball, worked hard in the field, and we’ve come together as a team.
“There have been a couple of massive performances throughout. I’m very chuffed today.”
Raza, who hit the winning six on the last ball on Tuesday night, said it felt “nice” to contribute in such a way.
“Performance from cricketers depends on the culture, environment, and how much fun one is having. I’m truly humbled and blessed to be here with Paarl. It’s a fantastic family and wonderful changing room. You want to do those magic things for the team, and to finish the game like that, after two poor games from me, feels nice.
“I had a shot in my head, but didn’t get the ball. It could have found my pads and we might have got a leg bye, but luckily it found the middle of the bat and it ended up travelling.”
About the Author
