Razzaq stars in narrow win for Heroes

Hyderabad Heroes 176 for 2 (Razzaq 78*, Rayudu 55) beat Mumbai Champs 169 for 9 (Morris 56, Patil 51, Razzaq 3-31) by seven runs
Scorecard

Abdul Razzaq turned in a superb all-round performance as the Hyderabad Heroes edged out the Mumbai Champs by seven runs to finish the league phase in second spot. Razzaq blasted a 57-ball 78 to lift the Heroes to 176 before taking three wickets, including two in the final over, to shut out the Champs.

Despite Raviraj Patil's blitz (51 off 27), the Heroes looked in control of the match when the Champs needed 48 runs off the last three overs. However 20 runs were plundered off the 18th over, bowled by Alfred Absolem, and the equation was soon reduced to a more manageable 21 off 9. After Johan van der Wath was bowled off he last ball of the penultimate over, Razzaq ensured the victory by removing Robin Morris, who had fought valiantly for his 56, and Shridhar Iyer off successive balls in the final over.

Earlier, after opting to bat, the Heroes were bolstered by a massive 121-run stand for the second wicket between Razzaq and Ambati Rayudu (55 off 42) and piled up a daunting total. The Champs' cause was severely hampered by their part-time bowlers, who gave away 64 runs in their four overs.

The Heroes now take on the Chennai Superstars in the semi-finals on April 3 in Panchkula. The Champs were already eliminated from the event.