Follow UsPaarl Royals created an incredibly unique record in the 2025 edition of the SA20, where spinners bowled all their 20 overs against the Pretoria Capitals. This is the first such occurrence in the history of T20 franchise cricket and only the third one in all T20s.
The earlier two instances happened between Lankan Cricket Club and Burgher Recreation Club in Colombo in 2019, and then between Malaysia and Bangladesh in Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023.
The strategy worked wonders for the Royals as they defeated the Capitals by 11 runs. Joe Root, who scored 78* off 56 and then took two wickets for 32 in his four overs with the ball, was named the Player of the Match.
Batting first, Paarl Royals scored 140/4 on a sluggish track, with Root leading the batting effort through the innings. David Miller was the second-highest scorer with 29 off 18 deliveries.
While bowling, they didn’t use the services of the only medium pacer in their squad, Dayyan Galiem, and used five spinners to not only bowl their 20 overs, but also win the game.
Left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin (2/20) and right-arm spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/17) were exceptional. They dismissed four key batters and were really economical with the ball.
Dunith Wellalage’s left arm orthodox spin was even more miserly as he gave only 16 runs in his four overs and picked the wicket of Rilee Rossouw. Rookie leg spinner Nqabayomzi Peter (0/33) was the only spinner to return without a wicket to his name.
With this win, the Royals have six wins in seven games and are at the top of the points table.