(Cricket news) Sunrisers Eastern Cape registered a victory of the penultimate-ball, against Paarl Royals to finish at the top of the table in SA20 2024. They defeated the Royals by 5 wickets to secure the top spot.

Patrick Kruger played a match-winning cameo to take Sunrisers over the line. Coming into bat when his team needed 22 off 10, he smoked 26 off just 7 deliveries. His small but effective innings included 3 maximums and a four.

Opting to bat Paarl Royals were off to a slow start, as Jason Roy struggled (8 off 11) before getting dismissed to Baartman. Jos Buttler however ensured to up the scoring rate and played a valuable knock of 38 form 22 balls. He did not get much support from the other end as the Royals were reduced to 76/4 on the halfway stage.

A 49-run partnership between Vilas and Lubbe helped the Royals to reach a valuable score of 159 in their 20 overs. All the bowlers for Sunrisers chipped in with a wicket or two.

Chasing a par target, the Sunrisers managed only 41 runs in the powerplay. Both their openers found it difficult to get going and scored at a strike rate of less than 100. Skipper Aiden Markram then joined hands with Bavuma and stitched a 63-run partnership in only 45 balls.

With 22 needed of the last 10 balls, it was Kruger who took Sunrisers home with some fabulous hitting. The loss, however, made no difference to the Royals’ position in the points table, as they finished third. They will now face Joburg Super Kings in the Eliminator, while the Sunrisers will face the Super Giants in the Qualifier.

Brief Scores: Paarl Royals 159/7 in 20 overs (Jos Buttler 38, Dane Vilas 35; Ottniel Baartman 2/33) ; Sunrisers Eastern Cape 165/5 in 19.5 overs (Aiden Markram 37, Temba Bavuma 33; Andile Phehlukwayo 3/33) ; Sunrisers Eastern Cape won by 5 wickets

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