Indian Premier League: Hyderabad earn first victory against Delhi

Finch scores a heroic 88 to lead side to win in Dubai.

Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Delhi Daredevils by four runs to earn their first points in the Indian Premier League in Dubai on Friday.

Hyderabad chose to bat first and their top three batsmen proved it was the right decision as they hit big to take the team to 184, with only one batsman sent back to the pavilion.

Man-of-the-match Aaron Finch scored 88-runs off just 53 balls alongside David Warner (58) to steer his team to a big total.

Hyderabad’s cause was also supported by Delhi with three dropped catches.

Delhi, while chasing, started off well with an opening partnership of 99 runs between Quinton de Kock (48) and Murali Vijay (58).

Kevin Pietersen, playing the first game of the season after recovering from a hand injury, struggled in the start of his innings, scoring only five runs off his first 13 balls but later compensated for it with a six and a four.

Delhi also miscued their batting line-up by placing Jean-Paul Duminy, their in-form batsman down the order. He scored 20 runs off seven balls, while Manoj Tiwari (23) was facing difficulties in handing him the strike.

Dale Steyn, wicket-less in this season, dismissed Dinesh Karthik to open his account and then claimed Pietersen’s wicket on the next ball to add another scalp to his tally.

Delhi managed 180 for four in their allotted overs, falling just runs short of a victory.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2014.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.