SA20 Points Table: Paarl Royals Confirm Semi-Final Spot Despite Losing Against Pretoria Capitals; Check Final League Stage Standings Here

SA20 2023: In the last league stage match of SA20, between Pretoria Capitals and Paarl Royals, a high voltage thriller was witnessed despite Capitals' one-sided win. In the end, Paarl Royals managed to confirm their semi-final spot and set up the semi-final fixture against the same opponent. 

After being put in to bat first, #1 placed Pretoria Capitals went out all guns blazing as opener Kusal Mendis smacked 80 runs off 41 balls with 8 fours & 4 sixes, accompanied by Phil Salt. Salt scored 39 runs as an opening stand of 69 was etched inside the powerplay. 

After skipper Theunis de Bruyn (12) and Rilee Rossouw (13) failed to do much, Colin Ingram held charge as he smashed 41 runs in just 21 balls, supported by James Neesham who scored 22 runs with 2 fours and a six, at a strike rate of 200. Consequently, Pretoria Capitals posted a mighty total of 226/5 in 20 overs. 

In reply, Paarl Royals seemed to be batting on a different surface altogether as they were reduced to 67/4 in 9 overs. However, Royals' #3 Jos Buttler stayed at the crease at one while wickets continued falling on the other, and helped his team chase down the virtual target. According to the points table, Royals needed to score 163 runs to keep their NRR above Durban's Super Giants, who had the same number of points as Paarl Royals. 

Buttler scored 70 runs off 45 balls with 4 fours & 5 sixes as Royals finished with 167/9, securing a better NRR than DSG and qualifying for the semi-finals. Paarl Royals will now again face off against Pretoria Capitals in the semi-final on February 8th (Wednesday). However, they will play at Johannesburg this time instead of Centurion, where the surface can provide different outcomes. 

In the points table, Capitals qualified in the 1st spot with 31 points in 10 matches with 7 wins, followed by Joburg Super Kings (6 wins in 10 matches, 27 points) in the 2nd spot. Sunrisers Eastern Cape qualified as the 3rd placed team with 19 points in 10 matches (4 wins), followed by Paarl Royals (4 wins in 10 matches, 19 points).

Durban's Super Giants (4 wins in 10 matches, 19 points) and MI Cape Town (3 wins in 10 matches, 13 points) failed to make it to the semi-finals in the inaugural season of the SA20. 

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Pretoria Capitals will clash against Paarl Royals in the 1st Semi-Final on February 8th (Wednesday) in Centurion while Joburg Super Kings will face off against Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the 2nd semi-final on February 9th (Thursday) in Centurion.