Cricket

ICL: Delhi Giants beat Hyderabad Heroes

In a nail-biting finish, Delhi Giants prevailed over defending champions Hyderabad Heroes by a solitary run in the ICL20s Indian Championship at Tau Devi Lal stadium here on Saturday.

Abbas Ali, who scored a fighting half-century in a match that saw some great cricketing action, was declared the man of the match.

Opting to bat, Delhi got off to a shaky start with Syed Sahabuddin packing back Monish Mishra in the second over itself. Thereafter Hyderabad Heroes displayed some sharp fielding and a brilliant pick up and throw by Rayudu found Avishka Gunawardene short of his ground, bringing down curtains on what looked like a promising knock of 17 runs off 10 balls, including two fours and one mighty six. And at the end of the 5th over the Giants were struggling at 31-2.

Then the introduction of spinner Nicky Boje in the 7th over brought immediate results as he castled Giants’ skipper Marvan Atapattu. And at the half way mark of their innings, Delhi were reeling at 61-3 with the pedigreed Abbas Ali holding the batting mantel for the team.

Abbas played a fighting knock against some tight bowling but just when the Giants were gaining some momentum Harris struck with the wicket of Benkenstein, ending the 46-run partnership between Abbas and him for the fourth wicket.

Tags: Delhi Giants, Hyderabad Heroes, ICL