Shakib returns and impresses

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan is hoisted by Kolkata Knight Riders teammate Yusuf Pathan after dismissing Pune Warriors batsman Sourav Ganguly during their IPL match at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai yesterday.

 

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan showed his Indian Premier League (IPL) side Kolkata Knight Riders what they were missing in the last six matches with a bowling display replete with the guile and cunning that has made him one of the best twirlers in the international game.

Against Pune Warriors at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai yesterday, Shakib was a major factor in restricting the opposition to a gettable total, as he bowled four overs on the trot for figures of 2 for 16, fabulous returns for a T20 match.

Before yesterday's match, the Tigers skipper only featured in four of Kolkata's twelve matches. He missed the first two games because of the Australia-Bangladesh series in early April, and after bowling well in the four matches he played in to pick up seven wickets, the 24-year-old had to come back to Bangladesh to be with his ill mother. Upon return, he found it hard to get past the four overseas players quota, finally getting an opportunity after the out-of-form Eoin Morgan was benched.

Brought on in the seventh over, Shakib immediately announced his class as he had Sourav Ganguly on tenterhooks with his last moment changes in pace and line. When the former India skipper charged him in his first over, Shakib smartly dragged the ball down the leg side, almost dismissing Ganguly. The over yielded only three.

It was in his next over that he produced some magic that again highlighted his ability to think on his feet. Those who are familiar with his bowling will know that he is not a big turner who prefers to beat batsmen with subtle variations. However, when he saw Callum Ferguson advancing to clout him over the top, he imparted extra revolutions on the ball. The result was Ferguson beaten hook, line and sinker as the ball turned like a Shane Warne ripper for wicketkeeper Sreevats Goswami to flatten the stumps.

To put the icing on the cake, and break the back of the Pune batting, Shakib returned for his fourth over to take the wicket of Ganguly. During yesterday's battle, Shakib was always a step ahead, thwarting Ganguly whenever he looked to give the charge. The frustrated left-hander finally succumbed trying to clear short fine leg's head, only to find the outstretched palms of Yusuf Pathan.

Pune could only muster 118 for 7 in their 20 overs, and Shakib was the most economical bowler, along with fellow left-armer Iqbal Abdullah. Happily for Bangladesh's IPL fans, Eoin Morgan may have to wait a while for his return.

Mumbai stay on top

Kolkata win in rain

Kolkata Knight Riders left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla (C) is congratulated by his teammates after getting rid of Chennai Super Kings batsman Murali Vijay at Eden Gardens in Kolkata yesterday.Photo: 

Ambati Rayudu cracked a half-century and Munaf Patel took two quick wickets to help Mumbai Indians post a 32-run win over Delhi Daredevils in an Indian Premier League match on Saturday.

Rayudu made a 39-ball 59 and seamer Patel finished with 2-29 as Mumbai bowled Delhi out for 146 after scoring 178-4 to boost their chances of qualifying for the next round of the Twenty20 tournament.

Australian James Hopes top-scored with 55 for Delhi, who suffered their seventh defeat in 11 matches. Venugopal Rao (37) was the other main scorer.

Earlier, in a rain-hit game, Australian paceman Brett Lee conceded just eight runs in four overs as Kolkata Knight Riders beat Chennai Super Kings by 10 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Mumbai currently lead the 10-team league table with 16 points, followed by Kolkata (14), Chennai (12), Bangalore (11), Rajasthan (11), Kochi (10), Delhi (eight), Deccan (six), Punjab (six) and Pune (four).

Mumbai capitalised on a strong start to set a challenging target, with Rayudu hitting two sixes and seven fours in his brisk knock and Rohit Sharma scoring 49 off 32 deliveries. The pair added 87 for the third wicket.

Sachin Tendulkar's Mumbai raced to 54 in the opening seven overs, thanks to Australian Aiden Blizzard, who smashed a 23-ball 37 with the help of eight fours, including five in an over from South African paceman Morne Morkel.

Mumbai virtually wrapped up the match when they reduced Delhi to 7-4 in the opening three overs, with Patel dismissing in-form skipper Virender Sehwag and Naman Ojha in the space of five deliveries.

Sri Lankan paceman Lasith Malinga, taken out of the attack for bowling a second full-toss above waist height in his fourth over, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and West Indies' Kieron Pollard each bagged two wickets for Mumbai.

Malinga has so far taken 24 wickets, the highest by a bowler in an IPL edition.

Kolkata were earlier 61-2 in 10 overs chasing a modest 115-run target when play was called off due to rain.

Lee and left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla played key roles in restricting Chennai to a small total on a slow pitch despite a fighting 54 from Subramaniam Badrinath.

Abdulla took one wicket in his four overs, giving away 15 runs.

Badrinath put on 65 for the fourth wicket in the last nine overs with South African Albie Morkel, who contributed a run-a-ball 30 not out.

Chennai struggled for runs, scoring 40 in the opening 10 overs. There were just two sixes and six fours in the entire innings.

BRIEF SCORES:
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS: 114-4 in 20 overs (Badrinath 54, Morkel 30 not out)

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS: 61-2 in 10 overs (J. Kallis 21 not out; R. Ashwin 2-12)

Result: Knight Riders won by 10 runs (D/L method)

Mumbai Indians: 178-4 in 20 overs (Rayudu 59, Sharma 49, Blizzard 37)

DELHI DAREDEVILS: 146 in 19.5 overs (Hopes 55, Rao 37, Irfan 23; Malinga 2-18, Harbhajan 2-24, Pollard 2-24, Patel 2-29)

Result: Mumbai won by 32 runs.