The China Mail - Abhishek blitz knocks Lucknow out of IPL play-off race

Chasing 206 for victory, Abhishek set up the chase with his blitz laced with four fours and six sixes as Hyderabad achieved the target with 10 balls to spare in Lucknow.

Abhishek departed in the eighth over before Heinrich Klaasen, who hit 47, and Kamindu Mendis, who retired hurt on 32, guided the team to the brink of victory with their fourth-wicket partnership of 55.

Lucknow became the fifth team to bow out of the play-off contention leaving five-time champions Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals to battle for one remaining spot.

Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are already through to the playoffs starting May 29.

The left-handed Abhishek took on the attack after he lost his opening partner Atharva Taide, who became New Zealand quick Will O'Rourke's first wicket on his IPL debut.

Abhishek hit five sixes, including three in succession off Ravi Bishnoi, to reach his fifty in 18 balls and followed it up with another hit over the fence.

Leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi cut short Abhishek's knock and Hyderabad lost another left-hander Ishan Kishan on 35 before South Africa's Klaasen and Sri Lankan left-hander Mendis controlled the chase.

Shardul Thakur denied Klaasen his fifty and Mendis hobbled off with a foot injury before Nitish Reddy and Aniket Verma sealed the win.

Earlier Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram laid the foundations for Lucknow's 205-7 in their opening stand of 115.

Marsh top-scored with 65 in a knock laced with six fours and four sixes and Markram hit 61 before Nicholas Pooran contributed with his 26-ball 45 to boost the total.

The rest of the batters failed to get into double figures including another flop for skipper Rishabh Pant, who fell caught and bowled for seven off Sri Lanka seam bowler Eshan Malinga.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Pant has failed to fire since Lucknow splashed a record $3.21 million on him at the November auction, scoring just 135 runs from 11 innings this IPL season.

Malinga stood out with figures of 2-28 in his four overs.

Pooran missed out on his fifty in an attempt to steal a single in the 20th over which witnessed two run outs and another wicket.

The IPL is into its final phase and restarted Saturday after it was paused due to a conflict between India and Pakistan.

Since the pause in the IPL, the tournament has been rescheduled with the final now set to take place on June 3.

C.Fong--ThChM