Cricket news round-up – April 22: Bangalore survive Dhoni pyrokinetics

Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Kolkata Knight Riders comfortably in the IPL, while Royal Challengers Bangalore clinched a thriller against Chennai Super Kings despite MS Dhoni‘s brutal onslaught. In other news, Oman sit atop the ICC World Cricket League Division Two, while Mumbai Cricket Association face the threat of losing Wankhede Stadium.

Hyderabad openers yawn to comfortable win

Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 9 wickets with 30 balls to spare at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal. Asked to bat, Kolkata got off to a flying start, with Chris Lynn (51) and Sunil Narine adding 42 for the opening stand in just 15 balls.

Unfortunately, Rinku Singh was only other batsman to cross 15, and Kolkata finished on 159/8 against Khaleel Ahmed (4-0-33-3) and Rashid Khan (4-0-23-1).

David Warner (67 in 38) and Jonny Bairstow (80* in 43) then sealed the match with a 72-ball opening stand of 131. En route, Warner became the first in the tournament to reach 500 runs, while Bairstow moved up to second spot.

Dhoni pulls it off… almost

Put into bat at Chinnaswamy, Royal Challengers Bangalore put up 161/7. Parthiv Patel top-scored with a 37-ball 53, while there were cameos from AB de Villiers, Akshdeep Nath, and Moeen Ali.

Chennai were then reduced to 28/4 by Dale Steyn (4-0-29-2). MS Dhoni (84* in 48) started cautiously, taking 44 balls to put up 55 with Ambati Rayudu. The asking rate climbed, but Dhoni backed himself, even turning down singles.

With 26 to score off the last over, Dhoni took 4, 6, 6, 2, 6 from the first five balls from Umesh Yadav. The second ball went out of Chinnaswamy over square-leg.

With 2 needed off the last ball, Dhoni tried to guide the ball towards third man but missed. Parthiv ran out Shardul Thakur, keen on stealing the bye that would have led to a Super Over.

Oman rise to top, Canada at bottom of table

A 99-run win over Canada saw Oman at Windhoek rise to the top of the ICC World Cricket League Division Two points table. Having defeated USA in their first match, Oman are the only team to have won both matches, while Canada are the only ones to have lost both.

Zeeshan Maqsood (109) and Aqib Ilyas (86) took Oman to 250/7 as Romesh Eranga took 3/57. JJ Smit took 5/63. Jean Bredenkamp (55) and Gerhard Erasmus (92) then took Canada to 156/2. Canada needed 14 off the last 2 overs with 4 wickets in hand, but lost 4 for 11 in 10 balls. Ali Khan took 5/46 and Saurabh Netravalkar 3/50.

Anshuman Rath (85) helped Hong Kong post 222/9 against Papua New Guinea, but despite Ehsan Khan’s 4/36, Rath’s efforts were trumped by Tony Ura’s 85. PNG won by 3 wickets.

Mumbai to lose Wankhede?

According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, Mumbai Cricket Association are up against the threat of losing Wankhede Stadium, its premier ground. Inaugurated in 1975, Wankhede has hosted several iconic matches including the 2011 World Cup final.

MCA now have a due of INR 120 crores towards unpaid dues and lease renewal, according to a notice issued by Mumbai City Collector Shivaji Jondhale. Non-payment may lead to MCA giving up their premier venue.