Ottneil Baartman's Hat-Trick Secures Paarl Royals' Spot in SA20 Playoffs

Ottneil Baartman delivered a five-wicket haul including a hat-trick to lead Paarl Royals to a six-wicket victory over Pretoria Capitals, securing a playoff spot in the SA20 league. Baartman became the second bowler in SA20 history to achieve a hat-trick and surpassed Marco Jansen as the league's leading wicket-taker with 57 wickets. The Royals topped the standings with 21 points, joining Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the playoffs. Former cricketer Dale Steyn criticized Baartman's exclusion from South Africa's T20 World Cup squad despite his strong performances.