Boasting of an in-from batting line-up and one of the best bowling attacks in the IPL, the Sunrisers Hyderabad were always going to the side to beat in the CLT20 qualifiers.
In their second match, both their departments fired against the Faisalabad Wolves to send the side to the group stage. Shikhar Dhawan had admitted on Tuesday that he made a wrong call by under-utilising the spinners against the Kandurata Maroons.
On Wednesday, he corrected himself. The spinners, led by Amit Mishra and understudy Karan Sharma, responded well to the skipper’s call to scuffle the run flow while striking crucial blows.
Mishra ended the stubborn resistance of the Wolves’ openers. Introduced in the eighth over, Mishra had Ali Waqas caught at deep mid-wicket for 31.
Till then, Waqas has survived many close calls and added 48 with Ammar Mahmood. The foundation for Mishra’s spell, in which the spinner gave away just 13 runs, was laid by Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma. Steyn, coming off a long injury layoff, was a little wayward in the previous match and got some stick.He started well alongside Ishant and didn’t allow the Pakistani openers to build momentum.
In the end, the target of 127 was not enough against the in-form Sunrisers. Shikhar and Parthiv Patel once again gave the team the right start by adding 68 for the first wicket.
{{/usCountry}}In the end, the target of 127 was not enough against the in-form Sunrisers. Shikhar and Parthiv Patel once again gave the team the right start by adding 68 for the first wicket.
{{/usCountry}}The skipper was the dominant partner, scoring 59 off 50 balls. By the time the Wolves sent him back, Hyderabad needed 15 off 30 balls.