Match Center

Right then, that's it from the coverage of this game. The action in the Indian T20 League continues as match number 59 which sees a crunch contest between Punjab and Delhi, has already started. So, do switch tabs to follow a riveting game of cricket.

Prerak Mankad is adjudged the Player of the Match for his unbeaten winning knock. Says that it was an important game for them and adds that he was not happy initially as he missed out on many boundary deliveries. Tells that before the death overs, he found it tough to connect. He thanks the team management for giving him the opportunity and shares that he has played a lot on these types of pitches. States that he backed himself and his skills and also lauds the batting efforts of Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran.

Krunal Pandya, the captain of Lucknow is in for a chat. He feels that the way Hyderabad were going, they should've gotten 200 on the board and is glad about how they pulled things back. Credits Avesh Khan and Yash Thakur for their incredible death bowling. Tells that anything can happen at this level, but all they needed was belief. Tells that Pooran can do special things and he showed us some glimpses. Adds that it is not easy to come in and perform, but Prerak Mankad showed a lot of character and he is really happy for the youngster.

Stay tuned for the presentation...

Nicholas Pooran is in for a chat. He says that the talk at break was to go for sixes and it paid off targetting the first two balls. Adds that those sixes got his innings going and feels it was important to target the 6th bowler. Reckons that there is no reward if you don't take risks. Ends by saying that he tries to have an impact and execute his skills.

Aiden Markram, the skipper of Hyderabad, says that it was a decent score and feels that 180 was par. Mentions that they batted well but lacked a partnership which could have got them to over 200. Shares that the wicket got slower and adds that pressure is an interesting thing. Reckons that Glenn Phillips bowled well and feels that it would have not been a good option to bowl himself against right-handed batters.

Earlier in the game, Heinrich Klaasen was the key for the Hyderabad innings, this has been the case all season so far. After he slipped out, Abdul Samad added some valuable run down the order to get the hosts over the 180-run mark, although it just proved to be a convenient chase for Lucknow.

Aiden Markram had the decision to make and he missed a trick by sticking with his part-time bowler in Abhishek Sharma for the 16th over. Even though Sharma got rid of Stoinis, he was taken to the cleaners after that, as he ended up conceding 31 runs, which certainly was the game-changer of this game. Thereafter, Lucknow were all over their opposition and in the end got over the line convincingly. Hyderabad started brilliantly with the new ball, and the fielders were on top of their game as well. A slight lapse in concentration took the game away from them. Hats off to Prerak Mankad who smacked a half-century for Lucknow, after coming into the side for Hooda, he has certainly stomped his authority here.

This was the only chance for Hyderabad to leapfrog in the points table, although they could not grab the opportunity with both hands. Credit to Lucknow though, despite losing Kyle Mayers cheaply and getting off to a really slow start. At the end of 8 overs, Lucknow had just 50 runs on board. Quinton de Kock and Prerak Mankad both the batters took their time to get their eye-in, Quinton de Kock though could not continue for long. Prerak Mankad joined forces with Stoinis and their stand of 73 runs certainly kept their side in the hunt. After 15 over, Lucknow were teetering at 114/2, although it was the very next over which turned the scenario of the game completely.

Phew! What a win for Lucknow. A statement victory for the visitors. Everyone must've written off Lucknow when they were at the cusp of death overs, although, that's when Nicholas Pooran came in and turned the game on its head. Hyderabad have only themselves to blame here. They were in cruise control throughout the innings but could not put the final nail in the coffin.

FOUR! THAT'S IT!  Nicholas Pooran finishes things off in style! Fazalhaq Farooqi goes full and sliding down leg, Nicholas Pooran flicks this one wide of short fine leg for four runs. He is all smiles and so are his teammates in the dugout. Lucknow win by 7 wickets!

Great stop! Rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls on a hard length, Nicholas Pooran waits for it and pulls it to the right of deep mid-wicket. Glenn Phillips sprints to his right and makes a good diving stop for a couple of runs.

Nicholas Pooran retains the strike for the final over. He moves to 38 off just 11 balls. It is very full, on off. Pooran smashes it down to long off and crosses.

SIX! This biggie surely spoils the over for T Natarajan. A full toss, on off. Nicholas Pooran swivels and dispatches it beyond the mid-wicket fence.

Prerak Mankad now rotates the strike, it is very full, outside off. Mankad squeezes it out to backward point for a quick single.

Another single now as Pooran punches this full ball into covers for one more.

.18.2: T Natarajan to Prerak Mankad, A low full toss, on middle. Mankad knocks it down to long on for one more.