MI Cape Town returned to winning ways with a 33-run victory over the Paarl Royals in the first installment of the SA20 Cape derby at Newlands.

New signing Reeza Hendricks led the way with the bat with his first half-century for the men in blue and gold. His 59 off 37 balls provided the foundation for the home side to post a formidable 172-7.

Hendricks was ably supported by Rassie van der Dussen (43 off 33 balls) as the pair shared a 78-run partnership off 54 balls before the in-form Delano Potgieter smashed an 18-ball 29 to provide the late innings momentum.

HIGHLIGHTS: MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals (SA20)

The Royals’ run-chase began in positive fashion with Joe Root (26) and rising star Lhuan-dre Pretorius (26) scoring 38 runs in just the three overs.

However, the introduction of Kagiso Rabada into the MI Cape Town attack reaped immediate rewards with the fast bowler dismissing both Root and Pretorius within a couple of overs of each other.

It was even more remarkable due to both being wicket maiden overs from Rabada, the first time a bowler has bowled two maidens in the powerplay in SA20 history.

The Royals never recovered from the double blow with MI Cape Town’s spin twins George Linde and Rashid Khan weaving a web around the visitors’ middle-order.

Linde bowled beautifully to finish with figures of 3-15, while Rashid claimed 2-28.

The sides will go head-to-head again on Wednesday at Boland Park in Paarl.

Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportzpics