Pooran’s cameo in vain as Super Giants lose

HYDERABAD, India (CMC):

Nicholas Pooran continued his preparation for next month's Twenty20 World Cup with another scintillating cameo; however, he emerged on the losing team as his Lucknow Super Giants crashed to a humbling 10-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.

The left-hander, who is expected to carry West Indies' batting hopes in the June 1-29 tournament in the Caribbean and United States of America, struck an unbeaten 48 from just 26 balls to help propel Super Giants up to 165 for four after they chose to bat first at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium yesterday.

Pooran, a former West Indies white-ball captain, played a key role in the most productive stand of the innings, putting on 99 for the fifth wicket with Ayush Badoni, whose top score of 55 required 30 deliveries and included nine fours.

Entering with Super Giants wandering on 57 for three at the end of the 10th over, Pooran belted a half-dozen fours and a six to revitalise the innings.

Pooran has gathered 363 runs at an average of 60 in the current campaign.

Openers Travis Head, with 89 not out, and Abhishek Sharma, with 75 not out, then spoiled any hopes of a Super Giants win with unbeaten half-centuries as Sunrisers chased down their target with more than half of the overs remaining.

Australian Head lashed eight fours and eight sixes in a stunning 30-ball knock to notch his fourth half-century of the season and surpass 500 runs (533), while Abhishek counted eight fours and half-dozen sixes off 28 deliveries to pass 400 runs (401).