Pooran misfires as Cape Town’s struggles continue

PAARL, South Africa (CMC):

Nicholas Pooran’s struggles with the bat continued as MI Cape Town suffered a heartbreaking one-run loss to the Paarl Royals when the SA20 continued yesterday.

Led by half-centuries from Player of the Match Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who scored an unbeaten 98 off 65 balls, and fellow opener Asa Tribe, who made 51, the Royals posted a competitive total of 181 for three in their 20 overs.

Pretorius, who struck 10 fours and two sixes, and Tribe shared an opening partnership of 100 in under 11 overs to give the home side the perfect start.

Rashid Khan took 2-10 to be best bowler for Cape Town.

Cape Town too were given a solid foundation in their chase, with openers Rassie van der Dussen (59) and Ryan Rickelton (36), putting on 77 runs in eight overs, but they fell just short on 180 for eight to register their third loss in four games, with the other match being abandoned.

Batting at number three, Pooran made a pedestrian 12 off 13 balls, his third failure of the competition, as Ottneil Baartman grabbed four wickets and Sikandar Raza claimed three to derail the innings.

Baartman ended with 4-51 while Khan took 3-21 in a winning cause.