MCT vs PR Match Prediction & Betting Tips - Jan 19, 2024
MI Cape Town and the Paarl Royals will contest the 11th match of the 2024 SA20 on Friday. Paarl and Cape Town currently occupy first and fourth position, respectively, on the six-team points table.
There will be plenty of interesting bets to place before and during the match. Let's see what the betting markets and cricket odds have in store for this key SA20 fixture at Newlands.
MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals head-to-head record
Cape Town and Paarl have a brief head-to-head history in the SA20. They met twice during last year's inaugural edition. MI Cape Town won on both occasions. The Royals have never beaten Cape Town.
MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals live streaming and broadcast
You can watch this match and the rest of the tournament on the JioCinema app in India. It is a great way of streaming cricket live online. This year's SA20 is also being broadcast on the Sports18 television channel.
MCT vs PR Team Previews
MI Cape Town
MI Cape Town will go into this match on the back of victory over the Joburg Super Kings, but defeats to Durban's Super Giants and the Eastern Cape Sunrisers. Cape Town ended the 2023 SA20 at the bottom of the points table and are in danger of returning to that position here.
They have an absolute gem in opener Ryan Rickelton, who has emerged as the leading run-scorer overall this tournament with consecutive innings of 87, 98 and 58. There is not a lot of theatre to his shot selection and stroke play - just good value and followthrough.
Cape Town also have the second-highest run-scorer in the 2024 SA20 so far in Rickelton's opening partner - Rassie van der Dussen. The pair have been dominant at the top of the order and could be in for another explosive combination here. They put on 108 for the first wicket the last time MI Cape Town played at Newlands.
Bowling-wise, fast bowlers Olly Stone and Kagiso Rabada have delivered three wickets each for MI Cape Town this season. Stone shook off a disappointing start to the tournament and has held his own alongside veritable cricket superstar Rabada. Captain Kieron Pollard has broken some key partnerships with his occasional seam.
MI Cape Town Playing 11
Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Kieron Pollard, Connor Esterhuizen, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Thomas Kaber, Olly Stone.
Paarl Royals
The Paarl Royals, like Durban's Super Giants, are still undefeated this SA20 season. They have won three matches in a row - against the Pretoria Capitals twice and Joburg Super Kings. A fourth consecutive victory would really consolidate their status among the title favourites.
Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been their standout performer. He has raced to eight wickets in three matches in the SA20 this year. Averaging almost three wickets per match is a tremendous effort in this format. Ngidi also has one of the best economy rates of 6.68 in this season's tournament.
Batting trio Jos Buttler, David Miller and Mitchell van Buuren have been firing collectively and individually for the Royals. Buttler has been solid at the top of the order, collecting the most runs for Paarl this season. He has hit 123 in three innings, including 70 not out against the Joburg Super Kings recently.
Paarl also have arguably the best all-rounder and left-arm wrist spinner in the tournament. Andile Phehlukwayo has been putting in big performances with bat and ball, while Tabraiz Shamsi's extra turn and bounce could pose a significant challenge for the Cape Town batters.
Paarl Royals Playing 11
Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, Wihan Lubbe, David Miller, Mitchell Van Buuren, Andile Phehlukwayo, Fabian Allen, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Obed McCoy.
MCT vs PR Toss Prediction
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the toss and chose to bat first in the previous SA20 match held at Newlands. That decision didn't bring victory.
That said, given the close nature of the chase - MI Cape Town came within four runs - the team to win the toss this time might opt to bowl first.
In T20 cricket, sides generally prefer to pursue - not set - targets. They can bowl in daylight and bat under floodlights.
Read our guide on toss predictions to learn how we analyze and come up with our tips.
Pitch and Conditions
The previous SA20 fixture at Newlands, earlier this week, saw the Sunrisers amass 202 for two - and MI Cape Town respond with 198 for five. That's effectively a total of 400 for seven.
On the face of it, this is a high-scoring venue - certainly more so than several others around South Africa. Both teams will likely field two specialist slow bowlers - and perhaps open the bowling with one.
No rain is forecast in Cape Town the day before the match or on matchday. We should get in a full fixture.
MCT vs PR Betting Tips
We're in for a tight tussle in this Western Cape derby. The Paarl Royals are undefeated, while MI Cape Town have homeground advantage and an unbeaten record against Friday's opposition.
Regardless, the Royals are in a stronger position than Cape Town to win this match. Bet on Paarl at a price of 1.93 to beat Cape Town, who are offered at 1.87.
Bonus Cricket Bets
Rabada is a kingpin with the ball for MI Cape Town. A man for the big occasion, he is primed for success against the table-topping Royals.
Ngidi has been prolific en route to eight wickets in three matches this SA20 season. He is well poised to do well in this match, too.
Rickelton is the only player in the history of the tournament to hit three half-centuries in a row. He has very recent experience of conditions at Newlands, having hit 58 here earlier this week.
Who will win MCT vs PR
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Match Predictions
Cricket Betting Tips
- Highest opening partnership - India W (1.55) and 1 more BANW vs INDW betting tip
- Total runs in the highest scoring over of the match - Over 22.5 (1.95) and 2 more MI vs SRH betting tips
- Nazmul Hossain Shanto to become the top batter. - 4.10 and 3 more BAN vs ZIM betting tips
- Delhi Capitals to win the toss - 1.90 and 4 more DC vs RR betting tips
We are eager to know what you think of our match predictions, if there is anything we can do better or if you want to let us know your own predictions for the match.