Miller' unbeaten 71 shows his class to help Paarl Royals past Sunrisers Eastern Cape

@ David Miller playing a shot during his innings of 71 runs vs SEC in SA20 2025

Paarl Royals  Edge Sunrisers Eastern Cape on New Years Eve by 5 Wickets on SA20- a Thriller.

On 31 December 2025, the Paarl Royals hit a breathtaking 5-wicket win in one of the most thrilling matches of the SA20 2025-26 season against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape at the St George Park in Gqeberha, South Africa. The Royals demonstrated perseverance, richness, and leadership in a game that was swinging both ways to become the first team to pursue competitive total and put the Sunrisers on the brink of losing their first game of the season. Setting the Scene: This was the 7 th game of SA20 season and the match was held in favorable conditions at the historic seaside ground which has an equalized surface. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape, who started the tournament with high results, wanted to continue their way and extend their winning streak. The Paarl Royals, in their turn, were, however, in need of a first win of the campaign following the earlier setbacks, such as a massive loss to the same team only a few days ago.

The Sunrisers were the lucky winners of the toss and they chose to bat first hoping to have a competitive total in a flat track which could be worth batting and bowling. Sunrisers Eastern Cape innings-stable start, Valuable Association: The innings of the Sunrisers started off on a strong note with the aim of putting the runs on the board. Their top and middle order made early improvements that assisted them to accumulate a figure that was defendable on the day. Key performers included:

• Jordan Hermann, the highest scorer with a well structured 47 runs off 35   balls,  hit four boundaries and a six.

• Jonny Bairstow who started the innings briskly with 33 runs off 20 balls gave   the innings a pace in the initial overs.

The innings however did not feature an individual contribution of a huge magnitude and the Sunrisers were losing wickets at a steady rate that did not allow it to gain momentum into the latter overs. Nevertheless, they were able to score 149 all out in their quota of 20 overs. In the bowling attack by the Royals, some bowlers disciplined their bowling:

• Nqobani Mokoena had an impressed swing and control serving with key   wickets   and ending up with figures of 4/34

• Ottneil Baartman Supported well with (3/36) delivered key break-throughs in   areas   of pressure.

In short, the Sunrisers had recorded a good score of 149 runs and the scene was   now set in the eyes of what was to be an exciting run. Paarl Royals Chase: Dreams Almost Dashed Early With a result to chase of 150 to win, the Royals did not start well. They had to struggle to survive when they started against a formidable Sunrisers bowling barrage at 35 for 4 in the first seven overs, which was a position that was challenging to any team. Top and middle order batters (Asa Tribe, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Rubin Hermann, and Kyle Verreynne) were all back to the pavilion at a very cheap price, placing the Royals under a massive amount of pressure.

By now, it was common knowledge among the viewers that the Sunrisers had taken the game by storm and run rate needed was rising and initial momentum was squarely in their favour. David Miller' Masterclass -A Captain's Knock

However, at the moment when the Royals were looking down and out, the captain   of Paarl Royals, David Miller, rose to the occasion in a commanding way. Miller   arrived in a dangerous moment, and delivered a wonderful retaliation:

• He scored unbeaten 71 runs off 38 deliveries, hitting four fours and five   massive sixes. His hits were both powerful and well timed and the choice of   shots made the game turn in his favor.

Keagan Lion-Cachet was also an important partner to Miller in terms of his leadership of the bat. The pair had a partnership that included 114 runs in the fifth wicket, which put the innings on its feet, and pulled the Royals back into the game.The patient was helped by Lion-Cachet 45 runs off 40 balls, and the patient   anchored the innings with Miller and made the target manageable. Final overs Drama - Royals Win the Final Game As the game grew closer to its climax the number of runs that were needed dropped and the tension went high. The Sunrisers were still alive in the game courtesy of a couple of tight overs, positive fieldwork, and tactical bowling. However, Miller and Lion-Cachet brought the Royals a step to victory. The partnership had already done most of the work with only 17 runs needed on 12 balls. When Lion-Cachet dropped in the closing over, Miller was a calm and determined man to score the victory.Lewis Gregory threw a wide ball in the final over that practically gave the Royals the victory in that the Royals were presently provided with the required number of runs, and had two balls to spare. The Royals ended on 150/5 in 19.4 overs, and their comeback was just impressive and they won by 5 wickets. Highlights and Key Performances of Matches.

Team                                             Performance

Sunrisers Eastern Cape              149 all out (20 overs) 

Paarl Royals                                150/5 (19.4 overs) Won by 5 wickets.

Player of the Match                     David Miller (71 off 38)*.

Key Contributors                         Keagan Lion-Cachet (45), Jordan Hermann (47)

Best Bowlers                              Nqobani Mokoena (4/34), Ottniel Baartman (3/36) It was the Paarl Royals'first win of the SA20 season , which helped them to be not at the very bottom of the table and provided their campaign with the new impulse. In the case of the Sunrisers, even though there was a good overall score and a fine bowling performance, it was given the loss and this is how exciting T20 cricket could be.

Post-Match Reflections: The fans will remember the drama that unfolded in the match on the 31 st of December. The Royals with 35/4 had not lost hope in their old campaigners and the youth. The innings of Miller not only highlighted his batting skills but also his skills to play in pressurizing situations and more so in the role of a captain. To the Sunrisers, the loss was a sour spon since they had a brilliant start of the season. They were already at the lead of the match and had limited the Royals to a target that can be run down, but perhaps they had not taken advantage of the chances to break the crucial partnership that ended up being the turning point of the match. Conclusion: Ultimately, the exhilarating 5-wicket victory Paarl Royals had over Sunrisers Eastern Cape was a perfect demonstration of what T20 cricket represents, namely, unpredictability, brilliance of the players, team cohesion, and excitement through the whole game. The fans and analysts will discuss this encounter at St George park,  not that it was not the outcome but that it was the exciting story that had been acted under lights on New Year Eve. Brief Scores: Sunrisers Eastern Cape 149 in 20 overs (Jordan Hermann 47; Nqobani Mokoena 4/34, Ottneil Baartman 3/36) lost to Paarl Royals 150/5 in 19.4 overs (David Miller 71*; Keagan Lion Cachet 45; Anrich Nortje 2/21) by 5 wickets.