An all-round performance from Rashid Khan took the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) home, against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the second Qualifier of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018, here at the Eden Gardens on Friday.
Chasing 175, KKR managed to score 161/9, setting up a title clash with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 27.
Rashid Khan single-handedly ended SRH’s four-match losing streak, scoring 34 from 10 balls. He also picked up three wickets in his designated four overs.
Having won the toss and electing to field first, the KKR bowlers never looked comfortable against a power-packed SRH batting line-up.
Openers Wriddhiman Saha (35) and Shikhar Dhawan (34) scored at a good pace for a 56-run opening stand. Shakib Al Hasan made a valuable contribution, lower down the order.
In response, KKR opener Chris Lynn (48) got off to a solid start, however, wasn’t supported quite well by the rest of the team.
The final of the IPL 2018 will be played on Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.