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SA20 2025 Playoffs: St George’s Oval Pitch Report ahead of Paarl Royals vs MI Cape Town Qualifier 1

SA20 2025 Playoffs: St George’s Oval Pitch Report ahead of Paarl Royals vs MI Cape Town Qualifier 1

The SA20 2025 playoffs stage has started with the first qualifier between Paarl Royals vs MI Cape Town at St George's Oval.

MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals are set to clash in the SA20 Qualifier 1 on Tuesday at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. Both Western Cape teams delivered strong performances, winning seven out of their 10 matches and maintaining an impressive five-match unbeaten streak at home. Their consistency has earned them the first shot at securing a place in the final.

While the Royals have been regulars in the playoffs since the tournament began, this will be MI Cape Town’s first appearance after two disappointing seasons. Leading MI Cape Town is their dynamic captain, Rashid Khan, who has thrived on the passionate support from the Newlands crowd in Season 3, acknowledging the fans’ unwavering backing throughout their five sold-out home games.

St George’s Oval Pitch Report

The pitch at St George’s Park has been challenging to assess this season. In SA20 2025, the average first-innings score stands at 150.7, indicating that batters have had to work hard for their runs. Stroke play isn’t easy, making time at the crease crucial.

The surface provides good pace and bounce, favoring fast bowlers who hit the deck hard, while spinners may struggle to make an impact. Historically, batting first has been advantageous, with three out of four matches won by teams setting a target. Given the pitch’s tendency to deteriorate, the toss-winning captain may prefer to bat first and apply scoreboard pressure on the opposition.

St George’s Oval Stats in T20I

Total Matches10
Matches won batting first4
Matches won bowling first6
Average 1st Innings Score134
Average 2nd Innings Score117
Highest Total Recorded180/7 (19.3 Ovs) – IND vs RSA
Lowest Total Recorded0/0 (0 Ovs) – N/A
Highest Score Chased154/5 (13.5 Ovs) – RSA vs IND
Lowest Score Defended155/6 (20 Ovs) – INDW vs IREW
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