
In a nail-biting finish, Hyderabad Heroes kept their nerves to snatch a six-run win in the first of the best-of-three finals of the ICL Twenty20 tournament played under floodlights here tonight.
Chasing 144, Badshahs needed 12 runs in the final over, which was bowled by former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq. However, the dramatic over saw Rana Naved-ul-Hasan getting run out — Razzaq hitting the stumps. Razzaq had earlier taken the wickets of Mohammed Sami and Shahid Nazir.
Earlier, Hyderabad Heroes, who defeated defending champions Chennai Superstars to reach the finals, had a slow start and were 64 for two in the 10th over. Former Australian player and Heroes opener Jimmy Maher struck 33 in 34 balls while his partner Razzaq struck a quickfire 21 of 12 balls.
One-down Ambati Rayudu was looking in good touch, but was the first among three batsmen to get run out after making 44 off 42 balls. The middle-order failed to maintain a healthy run rate, with former South African all-rounder Justin Kemp consuming 20 balls for his 11 before being bowled by Rana Naved-ul-Hasan. Naved-ul-Hasan turned out to be the most expensive bowler for the Badshahs, conceding 47 runs.
Stuart Binny (3) and skipper Chris Harris (8) were run out without making much contribution.
Brief scores: Hyderabad Heroes 143 for 6 in 20 overs (A Rayudu 44) bt Lahore Badshahs: 137 for 9 in 20 overs (Taufeeq Umar 43 n.o; A Razzaq 3/18)




