Joburg Super Kings Vs Paarl Royals Highlights, SA20: Du Plessis Blitzkrieg Takes JSK To Seven-Wicket Victory

Paarl Royals: Sam Hain, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Rubin Hermann, Mitchell Van Buuren, Dinesh Karthik(w), Keith Dudgeon, Bjorn Fortuin(c), Dayyaan Galiem, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi

Joburg Super Kings: Devon Conway, Faf du Plessis(c), Leus du Plooy, Wihan Lubbe, Jonny Bairstow(w), Donovan Ferreira, Evan Jones, Hardus Viljoen, Imran Tahir, Lutho Sipamla, Matheesha Pathirana

The Super Kings have struck early. Donovan Ferreira sends back Sam Hain off the second delivery of the match and innings, having him caught by Leus du Plooy in the deep to rattle the Royals in the very first over.

The Royals lose two more wickets inside the first five overs. Lutho Sipamla sends back Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Hardus Viljoen cleans up Mitchell van Buuren to leave the Paarl franchise three down. Dinesh Karthik joins Rubin Hermann at the crease.

Du Plessis' Super Kings are strengthening their grip on the game with the ball. They have dismissed half the Paarl Royals side in the first 10 overs, and the run rate is still around seven an over. Dinesh Karthik is battling on, but needs some support from the other end to take the Royals to a respectable total.

Much like he has done throughout his professional career, Dinesh Karthik does the rescue act in the middle order. He starts in a circumspect manner, and cuts loose once set to cross the fifty-run mark off the 38th ball he faces, sending it to the deep square leg fence to boot. He has taken Paarl Royals towards the periphery of what could be a competent total.

Karthik is dismissed in the 18th over, and a mini collapse follows as the Paarl Royals end up with 150 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Donovan Ferreira and Lutho Sipamla claim three wickets apiece for the Super Kings. The chase is coming up shortly.

The Super Kings' pursuit of Royals' 151-run target is underway. Faf du Plessis and Devon Conway play out the first over watchfully, as Bjorn Fortuin delivers a splendid six deliveries (plus a wide). Three runs off it.

While the Royals had lost four wickets in the powerplay, the Super Kings lose none. Faf du Plessis and Devon Conway are unseparated after six-plus overs, and have taken their side past the 50-run mark. Paarl Royals desperately need to break this partnership.

Captain Faf du Plessis has gone past the 50-run mark. He has held firm from one end, and while his opening partner Devon Conway has been dismissed, Joburg Super Kings appear well on course to chase down the 151-run target. Leus du Plooy has joined du Plessis at the crease.

And that's that. Joburg Super Kings cruise to a win in the 18th over, with Leus du Plooy (18 not out off 16) and Jonny Bairstow (8 not out off five) there to finish things off. The chase was anchored beautifully by skipper Faf du Plessis, who smashed 87 off 55 balls and was dismissed but not before putting his side on the doorstep of victory.