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Hyderabad Heroes wins a thriller

Vijay Lokapally

GURGAON: Hyderabad Heroes overcame a belligerent Reetender Singh Sodhi and took a step closer to achieving a semifinal berth in the Indian Cricket League following its three–run victory over Ahmedabad Rockets in a last-ball thriller at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex here on Wednesday.

Heroes, asked to bat, did exceedingly well to put up a fighting target of 166 but almost lost it to some wayward show towards the end.

With eight points from five matches, Heroes just about managed to stay in the reckoning.

Ryan Campbell, who cracked a 27-ball 33 fired at the top for Rockets, but then the top order failed to force the pace.

Murray Goodwin made 59 off 50 balls (2x4, 4x6) and a brave charge by Sodhi (41 n.o., 15b, 1x4, 4x6) proved inadequate as Rockets suffered its fourth defeat in six encounters.

Poor start

Earlier, at 30 for four, Rockets appeared to have the contest sealed as Heroes lost the cream of its batting in quick time. Jimmy Maher (three), Abdul Razzaq (seven), Justin Kemp (four) and Ambati Rayudu (two) aggregated mere 16 runs among themselves.

The arrival of Stuart Binny changed the complexion of the proceedings.

Binny played the dominant role as Nicky Boje fired the first salvo with a sensational square-cut off seamer Rakesh Patel that saw the ball clear the point fence in a flash.

It was just the indication for Binny to adopt a positive approach and Rockets’ attack wilted under pressure.Binny drove through the line and played some fine shots.

Boje’s contribution was 47 (30b, 5x4, 1x6), while Binny smashed 48 (32b, 8x4, 1x6).

Heroes’ innings picked up pace in the last five overs as skipper Chris Harris (37 off 18 balls) took charge. Heroes closed the innings in style with the last five overs fetching 64 runs. Patel and former Australian seamer Jason Gillespie ended with two wickets apiece.

The scores:

Hyderabad Heroes 166 for six in 20 overs (Stuart Binny 48, Nicky Boje 47, Chris Harris 37) bt Ahmedabad Rockets 163 for three in 20 overs (Murray Goodwin 59, R.S. Sodhi 41 n.o., Ryan Campbell 33).

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