Jos Buttler’s half-century was not enough for the Paarl Royals, who suffered a 13-run defeat to MI Cape Town at Boland Park on Saturday.
The Newlands-based team had lost two consecutive matches prior to the trip to the winelands.
They now return temporarily to second place on 13 points, while the Royals remain in fourth place with nine points after managing just 129-6 in response to MI Cape Town’s 142-9.
It was a match that remained in the balance until the penultimate over with the Royals requiring 23 off the final 12 balls.
The home team were favourites at that stage with Buttler still at the crease unbeaten on 68.
But that was when MI Cape Town captain Rashid Khan turned to his star bowler Jofra Archer, who responded by removing his England skipper with the first ball of the penultimate over.
The Royals could not recover from Buttler’s loss despite Evan Jones and Ferisco Adams swinging with all their might for the final 11 deliveries.
HIGHLIGHTS: Paarl Royals vs MI Cape Town (SA20)
It was a contest that was evenly balanced throughout.
The Royals started in familiar fashion with the tournament’s leading wicket-taker Fortuin dismissing both Dewald Brevis and Ryan Rickelton, while also assisting in the run-out of Sam Curran to leave MI Cape Town precariously placed at 9-3.
☝️ Rickelton
☝️ Brevis
☝️ CurranThe worst possible start for MI Cape Town as Bjorn Fortuin tears through their batsmen in the first three overs.#Betway #SA20 pic.twitter.com/3TfkSwIKqS
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) January 21, 2023
However, the pressure situation was tailormade for Van der Dussen with the Proteas batsman responding with a responsible 49.
He received solid support from Roelofson (34) and George Linde (24).
The Royals bowlers stuck to their task throughout with Lungi Ngidi (2-29), Ferisco Adams (2-31) and Tabraiz Shamsi (2-27) all chipping in to restrict MI Cape Town to 142-9.
It was sufficient on the day, though, with George Linde (2-23), Archer (1-31), Kagiso Rabada (2-27) and Khan (1-16) ensuring it was the visitors who left with the points.
