Brath gets a break, but not Sunrisers

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HYDERABAD – West Indies Twenty20 captain Carlos Brathwaite’s near six-week wait for action in the Indian Premier League ended in defeat on Saturday as leaders Sunrisers Hyderabad slumped to a five-wicket loss to Kolkata Knight Riders.

Sunrisers rallied to 172 for nine, but Kolkata Knight Riders chased down the target with two balls to spare to clinch their eighth win of the season in their final preliminary match and book their place in the playoffs.

Opting to bat first, Sunrisers were spearheaded by Shikhar Dhawan, who top-scored with 50 from 39 balls, while captain Kane Williamson belted 36 from 17 balls.

Brathwaite managed just three before top-edging a pull at West Indies teammate Andre Russell and falling to a catch at the wicket in the penultimate over.

Off-spinner Sunil Narine was outstanding in his four-over spell, claiming one for 23, while fast bowler Russell ended with one for 31 from his three overs.

In reply, Kolkata Knight Riders benefited from Australian opener Chris Lynn’s 55, while Robin Uthappa chipped in with 45 and Narine 29.

Narine smashed four fours and two sixes off ten balls before perishing in the fourth over, mistiming a heave at left-arm spinner Shakib al-Hasan and giving Manish Pandey a simple catch. With the innings, the Trinidadian passed 300 runs for the season at a strike rate of nearly 190.

Brathwaite proved handy with his medium pace, finishing with two for 21, but was unable to prevent Kolkata Knight Riders’ victory, with the visitors needing five from the last over. (CMC)