Joe Root's masterful 92 propels Paarl Royals to chase down record SA20 score for victory

Joe Root and David Miller displayed their class and composure, steering the Paarl Royals to a remarkable eight-wicket SA20 victory in their record-breaking chase of 213 against the Pretoria Capitals in Centurion on Saturday.

Root, in sublime form, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 92 off 60 balls, laced with 11 fours and two sixes.

Miller, the South African finisher, complemented him brilliantly with a blistering 48* off just 24 balls, featuring four boundaries and two jaw-dropping sixes, one of which was a glorious shot over cover point.

The pair’s unbroken 88-run stand sealed the chase, but it was Rubin Hermann's explosive 56 off 33 balls (five fours, three sixes) earlier in the innings that set the tone. His 125-run partnership with Root for the second wicket revived the Royals’ hopes after an early setback.

Needing eight runs in the final over, Miller wasted no time, pulling Jimmy Neesham's first delivery to the square-leg boundary before finishing the job with a lofted drive to long off, clinching the win with two balls to spare.

This chase, the highest in SA20 history, was a testament to the Royals batting depth and adaptability under pressure.

This clinical chase underscored the Royals' batting depth and composure under pressure, marking them as serious contenders in the competition.