Heroes shoot down Lions

Razzaq, Maher architects behind facile win

GURGAON: Abdul Razzaq would have liked to score at a brisker rate, but controlled his aggression to notch up a determined half-century that helped Hyderabad Heroes score a facile nine-wicket victory over Chandigarh Lions in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) 20s Challenge match at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium here on Sunday.

A target of 142 was never going to be challenging enough and the Heroes romped home with 10 balls to spare. Razzaq was involved in a 123-run stand with Jimmy Maher that put paid to the Chandigarh side’s hopes of extending their two-match winning streak.

“I missed scoring off quite a few balls but hung on wanting to ensure a win. I spoke to Jimmy and we mutually agreed that the run-rate was not an issue,” said Razzaq, who slammed 66 off 61 balls with seven fours and two sixes before being bowled by left-arm seamer Amit Uniyal.

Maher remained unbeaten on 48 with seven well-timed fours in his 41-ball essay to help wrap up his team’s third win in four matches.

Captain Chris Harris was happy at the way Maher dug in his heels to ensure the victory after they had gone down tamely to Chennai Superstars in their last match, losing their first five wickets with just 51 on the board.

“Our loss in the last match was a wake-up call. It was a setback because we were shaping up so well in the two previous matches. That’s why it was important to win smoothly rather than keep an eye on the scoring rate. I am delighted and this will be the benchmark for us henceforth,” said Harris.

Earlier, the Lions once again found runs from left-hander Dinesh Mongia, who struck a fine knock of 38. The former India player, who was a member of the team that made it to the final of the World Cup in 2003, struck four fours and a six off 32 balls.

However, the other batsmen did not value their wickets enough. Openers Sarabjit Singh and Lou Vincent got 20 apiece to ensure a steady 39-run start but there was little else to follow from others in the face of some disciplined bowling.

For the Heroes, left-arm spinners Inder Shekar Reddy, who played for Hyderabad in Ranji Trophy before moving to the ICL, and South African Nicky Boje bagged two wickets each.

SCORECARD
Chandigarh Lions : Sarabjit Singh c Kemp b Boje 20, Lou Vincent lbw Reddy 20, Chris Cairns c Binny b Razzaq 12, TP Singh c Binny b Reddy 19, D Mongia c Rayudu b Boje 38, Chetan Sharma c Maher b Harris 8, AJ Hall not out 10, A Uniyal not out 6; Extras: (LB3, W4, NB1) 8; Total (6 wickets; 20 overs) 141; FoW: 1-39, 2-55, 3-56, 4-98, 5-120, 6-131; Bowling: Razzaq 4-0-39-1, Sahabuddin 3-0-21-0, Reddy 4-0-15-2, Boje 4-0-21-2, Harris 3-0-16-1, Binny 1-0-13-0, Absolem 1-0-13-0
Hyderabad Heroes : J Maher not out 48, Abdul Razzaq b Uniyal 66, A Rayudu not out 20; Extras: (LB4, W6, NB1) 11; Total (1 wicket; 18.2 overs) 145; FoW: 1-123; Bowling: Hall 4-1-22-0, D Tuffey 3-0-25-0, Uniyal 3-0-32-1, Mongia 3-0-27-0, Sharma 2.2-0-19-0, Ablish 3-0-16-0