NEW DELHI: Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain
Aiden Markram insists his team will approach their SA20 Qualifier 2 clash against Paarl Royals at Centurion this evening with a fresh mindset, despite their recent momentum.
The defending champions kept their title hopes alive with a 32-run victory over Joburg Super Kings in the Eliminator at the same venue on Wednesday night. Now, they are just one win away from securing a place in their third consecutive SA20 Final.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Paarl Royals, on the other hand, have endured a rough patch. After becoming the first team to secure a playoff spot nearly two weeks ago, they have suffered three consecutive defeats, including a loss to MI Cape Town in Qualifier 1 at St George’s Park on Tuesday.
Despite Sunrisers’ strong run of form, Markram remains cautious, emphasizing that previous results will not matter when the teams take the field.
“I don’t think we’ve been particularly great this competition, so we’re still chasing that perfect game,” Markram said. “I know it might never happen, but that’s what we’re striving for. If we get close, then regardless of the result, we’ll sleep better at night.”
Reflecting on their victory over Joburg Super Kings, Markram acknowledged the importance of backing up performances, particularly at a venue known for being difficult to defend on.
“We defended well as a team and got the result. Hopefully, the run continues, but tomorrow we start fresh, and everyone begins from zero again,” he added.
Meanwhile, Paarl Royals allrounder
Dayyaan Galiem remains optimistic about his team’s chances despite their recent struggles.
“We’ve played good cricket over the last few weeks, so we’re confident and happy with where we are. The team is still in a good space,” Galiem said.
Galiem believes that the Royals’ familiarity with Centurion will be an advantage in this must-win encounter.
“Pretoria is special to me since I play most of my cricket there. Several of our players know the conditions well,” he noted.
He also highlighted the presence of coach Richard das Neves, who serves as head coach of the Titans, the home team at SuperSport Park, as a key factor in their preparation.
“We’ll come together, analyze the conditions for night games, and make informed decisions—whether it’s an extra seamer or spinner. What’s crucial is starting well and bringing intensity. When we do that, we perform at our best,” Galiem concluded.
With a place in the SA20 Final on the line, both teams will be eager to deliver their best performance in what promises to be a high-stakes battle.
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