Hyderabad: Sunrisers Hyderabad snatched the last-available play-off berth with a five-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders and in the process knocked Royal Challengers Bangalore out of the Indian Premier League, on Sunday.
Chasing 131 in their must-win match, Hyderabad overhauled the target with seven balls to spare, taking their points tally to 20, which placed them fourth.
Hyderabad were cruising at one stage but lost wickets in cluster to make heavy weather of the chase. However, Darren Sammy (17 off 12) smashed two consecutive sixes off Iqbal Abdulla in the penultimate over to steer the side home.
They set up Wednesday’s Eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals.
Hyderabad exploited the conditions well to restrict KKR to a modest 130/7. Stroke-making was difficult on the slow wicket and the hosts’ bowlers, specially the spinners, dominated proceedings.
Yusuf Pathan with his calculative 49 run knock off 29 balls gave Kolkata something to fight for after electing to bat. Jacques Kallis (24) was the other notable contributor.
Hyderabad’s chase began in the right earnest with Parthiv Patel (47) and Shikhar Dhawan (42) batting fearlessly. They attacked intelligently and set up the win with their 89-run opening stand.
It was Patel, who started the fireworks and Dhawan later joined in. (PTI)
