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That's all we have from Thursday in the SA20! Friday, 24th January, 2025 sees Sunrisers Eastern Cape take on Joburg Super Kings in Gqeberha. The first ball will be bowled at 9 pm IST (1530 GMT) but our buildup will begin well in advance. Do tune in early then. In the meanwhile, you can catch all the action from the Super Six stage of the Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia, the Big Bash League, the International League T20 and even the exciting ODI between West Indies Women and Bangladesh Women where the latter aim for a series win to qualify for the Women's World Cup later this year. Enjoy the cricketing action. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

So Durban end a forgettable home season of SA20, getting just 1 win in 5 matches hosted, despite winning their first game against Pretoria Capitals. But after that, they lost 3 and had one washed out, against MI Cape Town. They now have to win on the road, if they are dreaming of qualifying for the playoffs. They head to Cape Town to take on the MI Cape Town on Saturday, 25th January, 2025. The Royals, on the other hand, head back home, to take on Pretoria Capitals on Saturday itself. They would want to make it 4 in 4 at home.

The victorious skipper of Paarl Royals, DAVID MILLER, acknowledges that Durban started strongly, taking the attack to his bowlers, but credits his spinners for pulling things back in the middle phase. He expresses satisfaction with the consistent starts provided by his openers and is pleased to see the middle order contribute significantly in this game, showcasing the team's depth and class. Miller also touches upon the challenges of maintaining freshness and focus, emphasizing the importance of attitude in overcoming these hurdles. He praises the outstanding attitude of his players, which he believes is a key factor in their success. On the short turnaround to travel in and out of Durban, David admits that to land this afternoon and still display professionalism, was excellent from his players and given that they fly out on Friday morning, hopes for one more quick turnaround from his team for Saturday, before a nice few days of rest ahead of their next fixture.

The skipper of Durban's Super Giants, KESHAV MAHARAJ, reckons that his team was 20 runs shy of the eventual total. But credits the Royals for bowling well. Rues the fact that despite getting two wickets in the Powerplay, they could not build on it. In hindsight, admits that he could have bowled spin in the Powerplay but now, hopes to do better in the remaining matches and win them. Lauds Quinton de Kock for his consistency and hopes he maintains this form. Thanks the Durban crowd for its everlasting support and promises a better performance in the next season.

BJORN FORTUIN from the Paarl Royals has been awarded the PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for figures of 1/13 in 4 overs. Fortuin admits that he didn't expect the pitch to be as slow as it was, but he adjusted his strategy by varying his pace, which paid off nicely. He also praises his teammate Mujeeb Ur Rahman, saying that he complemented him well, and Fortuin is thrilled to have contributed to the team's success. Speaking about his captain, David Miller, Fortuin described him as a 'learning skipper' who is always looking to improve. Fortuin hopes to continue performing well and providing Miller with another reliable bowling option.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the game, the Paarl Royals came back superbly after conceding 62 for the opening wicket. They ruled the middle overs and even towards the death, conceded just 2 boundaries in the phase of 5 overs. The spinners ruled the roost - Fortuin, Mujeeb and Root - totally choking the opposition batters. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

Tough job for Durban's Super Giants. When they were batting first, the ball was moving due to the moisture underneath the surface and though they rode that period with a wicketless Powerplay, they got consumed by the pitch slowing down post the Powerplay, posting an under-par 142. Then, with the ball, they got themselves right into the game with 2 wickets in 19 balls, but after that, the pitch seemed to be playing well under the lights, once the ball stopped moving. Junior Dala struck with his first ball of the night, but could only finish with 2 wickets overall while skipper Keshav Maharaj was excellent, but wicketless.

At 77/3 and Paarl needing 66 from 74 balls, it seemed pretty easy but the softer ball started to cause problems. At that stage, one felt that the Royals might go for the bonus point win. But David Miller had other plans. PR have been crying out for some batting time in the middle for the middle order and Miller and Van Buuren did not waste the opportunity. They cast aside the greed for the extra point and focussed only on gaining the win, through a steady 59-run partnership for the 4th wicket. Both looked reasonably comfortable in the middle during their stay.

We got a bit of everything in this chase. 143 was expected to be a tricky total to chase and Paarl Royals experienced that, losing both their openers by the 4th over. However, it was the middle order which stepped up in this game. Rubin Hermann launched a counterattack in the Powerplay while Mitchell Van Buuren and later David Miller ensured that they did not waste the platform set by Hermann. Hermann threatened to be taking the game away single-handedly but his dismissal for 44 (22) brought some life into Durban.

A sad finish to the tournament in Durban in this edition. Durban's Super Giants started their home campaign with a win against Pretoria Capitals but that was the only one they managed. They now have to win their remaining matches on the road, possibly all three of them, to stand a chance of finishing in the top four.

FOUR! DK WITH THE FINISHING TOUCH! Back of a length around middle and leg, Dinesh Karthik pulls this up and over the mid-wicket fielder and sees this crash into the boundary cushion. Paarl Royals wins this by 5 wickets.

Back of a length around middle and leg, Dayyaan Galiem flicks this through square leg for one.

Dayyaan Galiem walks in next at number 7, replacing David Miller, for the final rites.

OUT! RUN OUT! Wiaan Mulder hits the timber directly from mid-wicket and David Miller is way short of his crease. Short pitched, slower around off, Dinesh Karthik thumps this into the surface and towards mid-wicket. He calls for the single but Wiaan Mulder dives to his right, fields this and Karthik sends Miller back. The captain though, is a long way down and has to turn back from a point of no return. He tries to get back but Mulder hits the stumps towards the striker's end. David Miller throws his bat away in frustration as he knows he is OUT by a long way. The umpire sends this upstairs and the replay confirms Miller was short. The skipper departs for 24 (21) and Paarl Royals have slipped from 136/3 to 141/5, but need just 2 to win from 17 balls.

OUT! RUN OUT! Wiaan Mulder hits the timber directly from mid-wicket and David Miller is way short of his crease. Short pitched, slower around off, Dinesh Karthik thumps this into the surface and towards mid-wicket. He calls for the single but Wiaan Mulder dives to his right, fields this and Karthik sends Miller back. The captain though, is a long way down and has to turn back from a point of no return. He tries to get back but Mulder hits the stumps towards the striker's end. David Miller throws his bat away in frustration as he knows he is OUT by a long way. The umpire sends this upstairs and the replay confirms Miller was short. The skipper departs for 24 (21) and Paarl Royals have slipped from 136/3 to 141/5, but need just 2 to win from 17 balls.

This should definitely be the last over of the match. Naveen-ul-Haq is back on. 2-0-21-0 so far.