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Giants prevails in a thriller

Vijay Lokapally

PANCHKULA: Hyderabad Heroes messed up an attainable chase and handed Delhi Giants its third win in the Indian Cricket League at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex here on Saturday. Hyderabad Heroes lost a thrilling contest by a run in a last-ball finish.

The result hardly helped Giants but Heroes would wait for a slot in the semifinals. Heroes has eight points from six matches while Giants, with just a match in hand, has six.

An ill-planned charge by Heroes allowed Giants to retire with smiling faces in its camp. Four Hyderabad batsmen ran themselves out to present the match on a platter to Giants. Ambati Rayudu, Justin Kemp, Stuart Binny and Nicky Boje showed poor running between the wickets and Giants grabbed the chance.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq top-scored with 41 off 38 balls for Heroes but his dismissal at 75 gave Giants an opening and the latter did well to produce some excellent fielding.

Top order fails

Earlier, the top order let Giants down. Mohnish Mishra, Avishka Gunawardene and Marvan Atapattu displayed poor application before the reliable Syed Abbas Ali resurrected the innings. He was adjudged the ‘Man of the Match’.

Abbas Ali’s contribution was 53 off 39 balls with eight delightful boundaries but his dismissal in the 17th over allowed Heroes to contain the opposition within limits.

There was a frantic 28 by Paul Nixon at the end and the target proved adequate to create pressure on Heroes.

The scores: Delhi Giants 144 for nine in 20 overs (Syed Abbas Ali 53) bt Hyderabad Heroes 143 for six in 20 overs (Abdul Razzaq 41).

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