27 September,2021 07:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
Aiden Markram
Sharjah is known as a batsman's paradise, but it was a bowler's day on Saturday as Punjab Kings (PBKS) defended a small total and secured a sensational five-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Put in to bat, PBKS were restricted to a mere 125-7, thanks to SRH medium pacer Jason Holder's 3-19.
The former West Indies captain, who is a reserve player in Kieron Pollard's WI team in the upcoming T20 World Cup, was the lone obstacle for the Punjab bowlers. However, Holder's fighting unbeaten 47 off 29 balls (5x6) went in vain.
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South African batsman Aiden Markram, who was Punjab's highest scorer (27, 2x4), credited the bowlers for the thrilling win. Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, 21, who was playing his first game in the UAE leg of IPL-14 m, returned with 3-24. Experienced pacer Mohammed Shami picked up two wickets, conceding only 14 runs in his four overs.
"The entire bowling unit was incredible. Shami started with the wickets [of David Warner and Kane Williamson] in the powerplay, which is always crucial while defending low scores. Two spinners, Harpreet Brar [0-25] and Bishnoi, were incredible," Markram said during a post-match virtual press conference on Saturday.
Markram also called Bishnoi's performance unbelievable. "It is amazingâ¦he [Bishnoi] is so young and his skill set is just at another level and I really think he is going to go from strength to strength," Markram added.
Meanwhile, SRH head coach Trevor Bayliss admitted that batsmen's failure is affecting his team's show in this edition. The Hyderabad team have managed to win only one game in nine matches this season. "Our batters are not playing with confidence, obviously. We have lost five games by under 10 runs and most of those batting second, chasing. Tonight [Saturday] especially, we made a lot of mistakes with the bat," Bayliss remarked.
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