Match Center

Right then, this win takes the Joburg Super Kings level on 19 points with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Since the two teams are level on points, the first tiebreaker in SA20 is the number of wins, and both teams have 4. Moving on to the second tiebreaker, which is the number of bonus points, the Sunrisers have 3, while the Super Kings have only 1 so far. As a result, the Super Kings remain in 4th place for now, with the Sunrisers staying in 3rd. This victory for the Super Kings puts even more pressure on the 5th-placed Pretoria Capitals, who are on 14 points. The Capitals face an in-form MI Cape Town on Friday, 31st January, and if they lose, they will be knocked out, securing progression for both the Sunrisers and the Super Kings. The game will begin at 9 pm IST (3.30 pm GMT), but as always, join us in advance for the build-up. See you then. Cheers!

The captain of the Joburg Super Kings, Faf du Plessis is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning knock. Says that he is pleased that they performed well as he was unsure how the track would change in the second inning. Continues that the season hasn't been good for them in terms of batting in the Powerplay but they executed the plans of targeting a couple of bowlers. Also says that momentum is crucial for them at this point in time and he hopes this win will help them get on a roll. Ends up saying that he is honoured to be the leader of a good team.

The stand-in skipper of the Paarl Royals, Bjorn Fortuin says that the biggest positive from this game was the game time given to the players. Feels that there are still some areas where they want to improve going into the playoffs. Tells that they did not have enough runs on the board. Hopes that they can build on the positives going into the playoffs. Mentions that the captaincy experience would have been more enjoyable had they won but it is always an honor for him to lead any side.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after opting to bowl first, the Super Kings kept chipping away at the wickets, reducing the Royals to 80/6. From that point, it became a battle of Dinesh Karthik versus the Super Kings. DK's brilliant rescue act, highlighted by his maiden SA20 fifty, helped the Royals reach 150. However, it wasn't enough on the night, as the Super Kings successfully chased down the target. Lutho Sipamla was the pick of the bowlers for the Super Kings with figures of 3 for 19 from his 4 overs.

Conway perished just as he was beginning to find his rhythm, but Faf was spurred on by a verbal battle with Kwena Maphaka. Leus du Plooy faced just 14 balls in his 49-ball 76-run stand with Faf, but he played the supporting role to perfection. Faf, knowing that Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the biggest threat on this wicket, wisely chose to see him off while taking down the rest of the Royals' attack. The Royals simply had no answers to Faf's brilliance.

A professional chase from the Super Kings has given them a crucial win. This victory will reignite hope and belief in their playoff aspirations. Needing a win to avoid an even tougher equation for the playoffs, and with just 1 victory in their last 5 games, the Super Kings were desperate for someone to step up and their skipper Faf du Plessis did just that. They started cautiously with Devon Conway and Faf du Plessis taking their time early on but ensured they finished the Powerplay on a high note.

That will do it for the Joburg Super Kings! Mujeeb Ur Rahman tossed it up, fuller around off. Leus du Plooy shuffles across the stump and scoops it over the keeper's head to get two runs. Joburg Super Kings win the match by 7 wickets!

Short outside off. Jonny Bairstow pushes it toward the left of the cover fielder and takes a single. Scores are level.

FOUR! Glorious from Jonny Bairstow! Bowls it short and just outside off. Jonny Bairstow puts his weight on his backfoot and slices it perfectly in between the gap of point and backward point to get four runs added into his account. 3 more needed for the Super Kings.

Fuller on off. Jonny Bairstow pushes it towards over.

In the air... but lands safely! Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowls it touch fuller, on off and middle. Jonny Bairstow pulls it and ends up getting the top edge. The ball loops and lands safely towards the mid-wicket region. The batters take a couple of runs.

Back of a length, on off. Jonny Bairstow dabs it towards off side for a single.

Jonny Bairstow is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Lungi Ngidi gets his man! He bowls it a touch fuller, outside off. Donovan Ferreira opens the stance and tries to go over long off. Fails to get the distance and Lhuan-dre Pretorius does the rest of the job and takes the catch safely. Donovan Ferreira has to depart with the Super Kings needing 10 more runs to win.

OUT! TAKEN! Lungi Ngidi gets his man! He bowls it a touch fuller, outside off. Donovan Ferreira opens the stance and tries to go over long off. Fails to get the distance and Lhuan-dre Pretorius does the rest of the job and takes the catch safely. Donovan Ferreira has to depart with the Super Kings needing 10 more runs to win.

Fires a short one now, on off. Donovan Ferreira looks to spank it over covers but misses on the outer edge. Lungi Ngidi thinks he heard something and appeals for caught behind but the umpire remains unmoved. Bjorn Fortuin takes the review but the replays show that there is a clear gap between the bat and the ball and the UltraEdge confirms the same.