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India A climbed to the top of the Quadrangular A-team one-day series table with a comfortable six-wicket win over National Performance Squad (NPS)

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jul-2014
ScorecardFile photo – Ambati Rayudu’s unbeaten 70 had 11 hits to the boundary•Getty ImagesIndia A climbed to the top of the Quadrangular A-team one-day series table with a comfortable six-wicket win over National Performance Squad (NPS). The bonus-point win meant India A had 10 points from three games.The win over NPS was set up by the India A bowlers, particularly Mohit Sharma, who took 4 for 48. Two of Mohit’s strikes – Matthew Short and Travis Head – broke substantial stands for the first and sixth wickets. He then broke into the NPS tail with the wickets of Ashton Turner and Alex Gregory. In between, Karn Sharma and Rishi Dhawan, the replacements for Parvez Rasool and Jaydev Unadkat, chipped away at the NPS line-up. Left-arm spinner Akshar Patel also picked up two wickets, dismissing Sean Willis and Kelvin Smith.India A’s third change to their playing XI, Manan Vohra, made an impact on his first game. Replacing Unmukt Chand at the top, Vohra combined with Ambati Rayudu to consolidate India A’s chase after Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey and Manoj Tiwary were out cheaply. Vohra and Rayudu added 108 runs for the fourth wicket and the side was on the brink of a win, when Vohra was dismissed for 88. His innings came off 95 balls with 12 fours, while Rayudu finished unbeaten on an 80-ball 70.

Manaf Mohamed, who was hired as general manager of the USA Cricket Association in January 2011, has been dismissed by USACA chief executive Darren Beazley

Peter Della Penna28-Jun-2013Manaf Mohamed, who was hired as general manager of the USA Cricket Association in January 2011, has been dismissed by USACA chief executive Darren Beazley. The move came after the USACA decided to terminate the general manager’s position due to its redundant functions.”The termination was due to the elimination of the general manager position,” Mohamed told ESPNcricinfo, when asked about the reason for his removal. “I wasn’t surprised. I was expecting it simply because there was a lot of overflow area between some of the activities that I used to do as the GM and then with the CEO coming in doing a lot of high-level stuff. Knowing something about our funding position, I kind of expected it in the long run. It would all come down to how they manage the budget.”Mohamed, 65, had previously served as USACA’s second vice-president from 2008 until he stepped down from a volunteer position to take on a paid job as general manager in 2011. He was originally hired to fill the administrative void left by the removal of USACA’s first chief executive, Don Lockerbie, who was dismissed in November 2010. The position of a general manager did not exist during Lockerbie’s tenure as CEO, but having a full-time paid administrator is one of the requirements for Associate countries to receive an increased level of ICC funding. With USACA in no rush to hire a new CEO after Lockerbie’s departure, the position of general manager was created, with Mohamed taking on the role.In December 2012, USACA announced that Darren Beazley had been hired to become the next chief executive and he confirmed that the decision was part of a larger re-structuring within USACA.”The role of general manager is no longer necessary with a full-time CEO and the removal of the role is part of a larger re-structure of our HR function that is ongoing,” Beazley said in a written statement. “Manaf has been a diligent servant to the game of cricket here in the US. Whilst we are sorry to see him go in a permanent capacity, I am very pleased that he’ll remain involved in some of the projects that we have coming up. His experience as a previous USACA Board member and paid administrator is very valuable to the future direction of US cricket.”

A round-up of matches played in Plunket Shield 2012-13

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jan-2013
ScorecardAjaz Patel produced his career-best figures of 6 for 57 to take Central Districts to the top of he table by beating Canterbury at McLean Park in Napier.Canterbury had to score another 244 runs when they started the fourth day, but Shanan Stewart was dismissed before he could open his account in the morning. Peter Fulton also added only nine before he became Kyle Jarvis’ second wicket and fell for 59. All middle-order batsmen got off to starts and scored in double figures but Patel ripped through their line-up as Canterbury lost their last five wickets for 61 runs and fell short of their target by 81.In the first innings, Central Districts had taken a 11-run lead when they score 303, led by half-centuries from Jeet Raval, Mathew Sinclair and Kruger van Wyk . Canterbury, in reply, were struggling at 22 for 3, but Dean Brownlie and Andrew Ellis savaged the innings and took them close to 300. Kyle Jarvis and Andrew Mathieson took four wickets each ensuring they got a lead.Central Districts scored 320 in the second innings, out of which Kieran Noema-Barnett scored 90, and set Canterbury a target of 332.Central Districts now sit at the top the table with 92 points, 15 more than Otago who were at the top till yesterday.
ScorecardNorthern Districts dismissed the Auckland team in a single day for the second time in the match to complete an innings win on the third day in Hamilton.By the time they declared on 614 for 7 on the third day, Northern Districts had taken a lead of 374 runs and their bowlers struck twice before lunch to leave Auckland on 22 for 2. Reece Young and Craig Cachopa then put together 106 runs for the third wicket before Young was dismissed for 49. Cachopa completed his century just before tea, when Auckland were 188 for 3. But in the last session, Northern Districts took six wickets in 32 overs to complete the innings win.Earlier, when Auckland were put in to bat on the first day, Anurag Verma, playing only his second first-class match, took seven wickets to leave them at 125 for 8 before Dusan Hakaraia’s unbeaten 141 took them to 240. Northern Districts’ top order imposed more agony on Auckland when Daniel Flynn, Brad Wilson and James Marshall scored hundreds and ensured that their team batted only once.
ScorecardOtago completed a massive innings win over Wellington within three days of the match at the University Oval in Dunedin.Otago chose to field on the first day and Blair Soper and James Fuller shared nine wickets between them to restrict Wellington to 254. Apart from Aaron Redmond, all of Otago’s top and middle-order batsmen scored heavily to march ahead of Wellington’s total. While Michael Bracewell and Neil Broom scored hundreds, Hamish Rutherford (90) and Derek de Boorder (68) scored half-centuries as Otago declared at 651 on the third morning to take a lead of 397 runs.Before the Wellington openers could settle down, James Fuller struck twice and Jesse Ryder departed for 18, with the score on 36 for 3. After lunch, Otago ran through Wellington’s lower order to take their remaining seven wickets for 107 runs, completing an innings win. Fuller finished with career-best figures of 6 for 24 and took ten wickets in the match.

Bangladesh have been dealt a blow with Mustafizur Raman out due to a side strain, but the return of Tamim Iqbal should come as a boost

The Preview by Mohammad Isam01-Mar-2016Match factsWednesday, March 2, 2016
Start time 1930 local (1330 GMT)Tamim Iqbal will likely return to the XI in place of Mohammad Mithun•AFPBig PictureTeams are getting close to that stage of the Asia Cup when a place in the final is the only thing in their mind. Pakistan, who opened their account against UAE on Monday night after getting walloped by India, have a lot to do, and the first thing will be to beat Bangladesh, who are ahead of them by two points after their wins over UAE and Sri Lanka, and will have a clearer path to the final if they can win this contest.Bangladesh were on fire against Sri Lanka, putting aside their T20 conservatism and taking the game by the collar. Sabbir Rahman’s brilliant 80 off 54 balls led the way, with Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah providing a fine finish. With the ball, Shakib did well again while Mashrafe Mortaza, Al-Amin Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman bowled critical overs with much confidence to stop Sri Lanka from overtaking their mediocre score.The last of those names, Mustafizur, is missing due to a side strain, which will be a big blow to the home side. Mustafizur took two wickets on debut against Pakistan last year and has been bowling well lately too. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s batting will be bolstered by the return of Tamim Iqbal, after he returned to Dhaka from Bangkok where his wife gave birth to their first child. Tamim is in form too, having made 267 runs in six innings during the PSL last month.Pakistan will bank a lot on their bowling attack, especially Mohammad Amir who lit up the Asia Cup with his spells against India and UAE. They will expect more from the likes of Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Irfan, and the left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz, who was tonked around the park by UAE.Pakistan’s main concern will be their batting line-up, particularly their top order, which did not do well in the first two matches. Much will depend on Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik, and on Shahid Afridi and Sarfraz Ahmed down the order.There is every chance of this being an excellent contest now that the Mirpur curator Gamini Silva is dishing out better pitches.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh WWLLL
Pakistan WLLLWWatch out forUmar Akmal made sure of Pakistan’s two points against UAE in their last game, and he did that in style, reaching his eighth T20I fifty in the process. He has, however, made only 20 runs in the two innings he has played against Bangladesh in this format.There is very little left to say about Mashrafe Mortaza’s leadership, but he will want to improve his wicket count against Pakistan in T20Is, having taken just two wickets in seven matches against them.Team newsTamim Iqbal will return to the XI, most likely in place of Mohammad Mithun, while Abu Hider could replace the injured Mustafizur Rahman.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Sabbir Rahman, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Nurul Hasan (wk), 8 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 9 Al-Amin Hossain, 10 Abu Hider, 11 Taskin AhmedPakistan could take out Khurram Manzoor and include Imad Wasim but there is unlikely to be any place for Anwar Ali.Pakistan (probable): 1 Sharjeel Khan, 2 Mohammad Hafeez, 3 Khurram Manzoor, 4 Umar Akmal, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Shahid Afridi (capt), 7 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 8 Mohammad Sami, 9 Mohammad Amir, 10 Mohammad Nawaz, 11 Mohammad IrfanPitch and conditionsThere will still be something for the seamers in the Mirpur pitch but it won’t be as exaggerated as it was in the first few matches. There is no forecast of rain on Wednesday evening.Stats and trivia In the last encounter between these two sides, Sabbir Rahman scored a fifty that he still reckons is his best T20I knock. Mohammad Hafeez is 30 runs behind Umar Akmal as Pakistan’s highest scorer in T20Is while Shakib Al Hasan needs 55 more runs to become the first Bangladesh batsman to reach 1000 T20I runs.Quotes”In the last one year, he has scored thousand international runs. He has been our best at the top, so having someone of that calibre always helps.”
“The wickets here are a bit difficult. As the tournament is progressing, yesterday’s wicket did not have much grass. So I think our players are confident.”

Marcus North and Murray Goodwin hit half centuries as Glamorgan enjoyed the better of the first day’s play against Leicestershire

21-May-2013
ScorecardNathan Buck took two wickets on his return to action•Getty ImagesMarcus North and Murray Goodwin hit half centuries as Glamorgan enjoyed the better of the first day’s play against Leicestershire in their LV= County Championship Division Two game at Grace Road.Put into bat on a damp, cloudy morning, Glamorgan reached 256 for 5 before bad light brought an early end to the day with 5.2 overs remaining. North scored 68 and Goodwin 57 to turn things round for Glamorgan after they slipped to 98 for 3. Nathan Buck and Ollie Freckingham both took two wickets for Leicestershire.With Ramnaresh Sarwan joining up with the West Indies squad for the Champions Trophy, Australian Joe Burns made his Leicestershire debut as his replacement, while Josh Cobb took over as captain.After bad light delayed the start by 30 minutes, Cobb won the toss and decided to field. He was rewarded with two early wickets both snapped up by Freckingham. He had William Bragg lbw for 5 in his third over of the morning and then, having seen Stewart Walters twice dropped in the slips, made it third time lucky with Michael Thornely clinging onto the catch.It was an impressive spell by Freckingham, but Ben Wright and North weathered the early difficulties to share a third wicket stand of 59. Both batsmen were quick to seize on anything loose and the boundaries began to flow. Wright hit seven fours in his 49, but then edged a catch behind off Buck, making his first appearance of the season after recovering from an ankle injury.But a partnership of 86 between North and Goodwin regained the initiative for Glamorgan. Goodwin was the first to his 50 which came off 56 balls and contained 10 boundaries and North soon followed, reaching his half century off 133 balls with nine fours.Buck finally made the breakthrough by trapping Goodwin lbw with the last ball before tea, and then Anthony Ireland, making his Leicestershire debut, had North caught at short extra cover off a loose drive for 68.Bad light sent the players off the field again and at 6pm, although they returned 25 minutes later, only four more balls were bowled before play was called off for the day., with Jim Allenby unbeaten on 39 and Mark Wallace 12 not out.Meanwhile, Matthew Hoggard enjoyed a prolific day for the 2nd XI by claiming 8 for 21 as he continues his comeback from the hip injury he picked up in the opening week of the season.

Former England Under-19 batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond notched a maiden County Championship century to give Kent the edge on day one at Canterbury.

Press Association22-Jun-2014
ScorecardDaniel Bell-Drummond steered Kent with a century•Getty ImagesFormer England Under-19 batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond notched a maiden County Championship century to give Kent the edge on day one at Canterbury.Bell-Drummond, 20, marked his 30th first-class appearance with a patient hundred scored in a shade over five-and-a-half hours and with only 11 boundaries as Kent posted two batting bonus points as they reached 259 for 8 at stumps after winning the toss and choosing to bat first on a tinder-dry pitch against DerbyshireBell-Drummond fell for 101 late in the day, caught on the crease and palpably leg before, to become the last of Tony Palladino’s deserved haul for 5 for 54 for the visitors.Having helped post 48 for the first wicket Kent lost skipper Rob Key for 34 in the game’s first over of spin when, in advancing down the pitch to David Wainwright, Key missed a turning delivery to be stumped by Gareth Cross.Ben Harmison lunged in defence at Wainwright to be caught behind and send Kent in to lunch on 89 for 2 and, soon after the resumption, Brendan Nash was left to rue his late decision to shoulder arms to a Palladino inswinger that trimmed off stump.On his home championship bow, Fabian Cowdrey spent 20 minutes and faced 18 deliveries before getting off the mark and had reached only 14 when – despite the hint of an inside edge – he was adjudged lbw to Mark Footitt.Bell-Drummond added 91 in tandem with Darren Stevens, who made 45, before Palladino struck with the second new ball as Stevens, flicking airily leg-side, edged through to the keeper to give Palladino his 150th first-class scalp in Derbyshire colours. He soon added to the tally having Sam Billings caught behind for a duck from a loose back-foot force and then pinning Bell-Drummond and Adam Riley leg before as Derbyshire rallied in the final hour.Though Kent have allowed James Tredwell to go out on loan to Sussex, it seems clear that his replacement, Riley, will have a key role to play as this game develops. Riley, a 22-year-old offspinner from Sidcup, is Kent’s leading Championship wicket-taker with 24 scalps at an average of 29.50 and should thrive on this bone-dry and cracked surface here.That spin would play a big part in events became evident after only 75 minutes when Derbyshire slow left-armer, Wainwright, dismissed Key with only his second ball of the match. But the dual spin threat of Wainwright and offspinner Marcus North was subdued by Bell-Drummond’s sheer tenacity and patience thereafter.No one on the ground was more delighted for Bell-Drummond than Kent team-mate and former West Indies Test batsman Nash who had batted 45 minutes with him earlier in the day. Nash, who was born and raised in Australia, invited Bell-Drummond to Queensland during the close season and believes his stint playing Grade cricket for Northern Suburbs helped lay the foundations for a consistent second full season in the Kent team.”Deebs came with me to Brisbane, played decent local cricket on good pitches and found out a lot about himself, both personally and as a cricketer,” Nash said. “He didn’t have a coach hanging over him every day and had to fend for himself more than he had previously and I think that’s really helped with his development and character building.”He’s been pretty consistent this season and county sides are giving him a lot more chirp because of that, but it’s water off a duck’s back to him now. I couldn’t be happier for him.”He had to be watchful. While I was out there we talked about the risk factor in shots square of the wicket and cross-bat strokes and we really tried to concentrate on scoring the majority of runs in the ‘v’ and that’s what he did to perfection.”

The BCCI is believed to be working on a back-up plan for the trouble-hit tour of South Africa in November and December. It could involve hosting an ODI tri-series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka

Amol Karhadkar13-Sep-2013The BCCI is believed to be working on a back-up plan for the trouble-hit tour of South Africa in November and December. It could involve hosting an ODI tri-series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the details are likely to be discussed in Chennai on Saturday, when officials from the three boards attend an Asian Cricket Council meeting.The ACC meeting is scheduled two days before Cricket South Africa chief Haroon Lorgat and BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel meet in Dubai on the sidelines of an ICC board meeting to try and resolve the impasse over India’s tour of South Africa.If a tri-series is organised, it will effectively replace the limited-overs leg of the bilateral series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the UAE, but it would also mean either a cancelled or severely curtailed India tour of South Africa.Sri Lanka and Pakistan are set to play two Twenty20 internationals, five ODIs and three Tests from December 11 to January 20. The limited-overs leg concludes on December 27.India’s calendar includes a short series against West Indies in November and a tour of New Zealand from January 19. The only option for CSA is to host India for two Tests, three ODIs and a Twenty20 international from December and ending with the New Year’s Test. A tri-series in India would cut into this space.PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed and SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga are expected to represent their boards at the ACC meeting. The ACC is headed by BCCI president N Srinivasan. The CEO of ACC, Syed Ashraful Haq, has also arrived in India.The schedule for India’s tour of South Africa was announced by CSA on July 8 but it immediately fell into problems and the schedule has not been endorsed by the BCCI. Though there has been no official statement, it appears the sticking point seems to be CSA’s appointment of Lorgat as its chief executive despite a series of run-ins between Lorgat and the BCCI during his tenure as ICC chief.

Two teenage Birmingham City fans were arrested for misogynistic chanting at referee Rebecca Welch in the club's win over Sheffield Wednesday.

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Referee Rebecca Welch target of abuseTwo teenagers arrestedClub condemns discriminationWHAT HAPPENED?

The 17-year-olds were detained after being overheard by officers directing abuse at Welch during Saturday's Championship fixture at St Andrew's. The arrests overshadowed Wayne Rooney's maiden win as Birmingham manager since his appointment last month.

AdvertisementWHAT WEST MIDLANDS POLICE SAID

A statement from West Midlands Police said: “We have arrested two boys for misogynistic chanting at the female referee during Birmingham City’s home game at St Andrew’s today

“Our officers heard the chants being directed at the official and acted quickly to arrest the two, who are both 17.

“They are currently in custody on suspicion of a public order offence as we carry out enquiries. We don’t tolerate any form of hate and it is important hate crime is reported to us."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Ahead of Saturday's fixture, Birmingham had reminded supporters about acceptable behaviour via its website and social media after Welch had received misogynistic abuse when she took charge of the club's defeat to Preston North End in January. That game marked the first occasion in which a female official had refereed an English second tier game. Welch went on to make further history by being appointed as fourth official for Fulham's defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League earlier this month.

On Sunday, Birmingham expressed their disappointment at the arrests, stating: "Birmingham City strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and will support the police with their enquiries."

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR REBECCA WELCH?

The history-making Welch will take charge of the Championship fixture between Hull City and Rotherham United on Tuesday. The game is her sixth appointment as a Championship referee

As well as the England and USWNT stars, Japan are well-represented in the best XI of the tournament's opening fortnight…

What an incredible group stage we've just been treated to at the 2023 Women's World Cup. There were huge shocks, with two-time winners Germany, Olympic gold medallists Canada and South American champions Brazil all crashing out, while the underdog stories kept coming as Jamaica, Morocco and South Africa made the last 16 for the first time in their respective histories.

We've seen surprise results, too, such as Japan thrashing Spain, and the big guns are starting to warm up, as seen in huge wins for Sweden and England.

At the heart of it all have been some seriously impressive individual performances, with the race for the Golden Ball award certainly heating up with each matchday that has passed. As we prepare for all the drama that is sure to come in the knockouts, GOAL picks its team of the Women's World Cup group stage…

GettyGK: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria)

When you look at Nigeria's squad, you're immediately drawn to the attack. Asisat Oshoala, Ifeoma Onumonu, Uchenna Kanu and Rasheedat Ajibade are among the players Randy Waldrum can call upon in the final third, but one of the stars of their group stage was at the other end, in goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Four years on from becoming the youngest goalkeeper to keep a Women's World Cup clean sheet, the 22-year-old has experience that belies her years and that certainly helped her as she kept two big clean sheets against Olympic champions Canada and a determined Ireland.

Racking up a save percentage of 83.3 in her first three games, Nnadozie's stand-out moment was the stop she made to deny Christine Sinclair, the greatest goalscorer in the history of international football, from the spot. It gave Nigeria a great foundation to build on in Group B.

AdvertisementGettyRB: Tiernny Wiltshire (Jamaica)

Again, Jamaica's star names come in the forward areas, with Manchester City star Bunny Shaw certainly the poster girl for this team, but their defence was the key as they caused one of the shocks of the tournament by knocking out Brazil.

The Reggae Girlz are yet to concede at this World Cup, with a 1-0 win over Panama sandwiched in between goalless stalemates with France and the South American champions, and Tiernny Wiltshire was absolutely solid in the latter two results.

Tasked with keeping some real top talents quiet in her right-back role, Wiltshire won 10 duels, made 10 clearances, won five tackles and both of the aerial battles she competed in across the two games. There haven't been too many outstanding, eye-catching right-backs over the first phase, but there haven't been any more reliable and dependable ones than the 25-year-old.

GettyCB: Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden)

How often can you say that a centre-back is in the race for the Golden Boot? Amanda Ilestedt certainly is after netting three times from defence in Sweden's first three games.

The first of those was absolutely crucial, her header from Kosovare Asllani's 90th-minute corner saving Sweden's blushes and allowing them to start with a win over South Africa. A few days later, she came to their rescue in a different way, breaking the deadlock from another set-piece just before half-time, the Olympic silver medallists having found Italy tough to break down before that goal.

Ilestedt, who signed for Arsenal this summer, has been important at the other end of the pitch, too, helping Sweden to record two clean sheets as they enter the knockout rounds as just one of three teams to take maximum points in the group stage.

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GettyCB: Naomi Girma (United States)

There's no doubt that the U.S. women's national team were poor in the group stage, with their tally of five points the lowest they've ever recorded at a Women's World Cup. That said, Naomi Girma has been excellent for the reigning champions in the heart of defence.

Only conceding once in the first three games, the U.S. were relatively solid at the back despite their struggles, Girma's composure and ability to take control of situations particularly important given the team lost captain and star centre-back Becky Sauerbrunn just before the tournament.

So often what the 23-year-old does can be under-stated and therefore go unnoticed, but it certainly shouldn't. She's already one of the best in the world in her position.

Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowlers set up their third win in four games, restricting Delhi Daredevils to 146 for 8

The Report by Abhishek Purohit20-Apr-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsDelhi Daredevils have not won at home since April 2013•PTI Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowlers set up their third win in four games, restricting Delhi Daredevils to 146 for 8. Gautam Gambhir then made his third half-century in four innings to consign the hosts to their ninth successive defeat at Feroz Shah Kotla.Neither captain was sure at the toss about how the pitch, dry and grassy, would behave. Both wanted to chase; Gambhir won the toss. The ball seemed to come on decently, especially at the start, although Duminy felt the pitch deteriorated as the game progressed.The Daredevils batsmen fell to poor strokes, and many of them came just when a partnership was starting to build. Opener Shreyas Iyer played some superb shots off the back foot but having motored to 31 off 24, was bowled after missing a slog at Piyush Chawla. That ended a third-wicket partnership of 36 with Manoj Tiwary.Tiwary and Yuvraj Singh added 37 for the fourth wicket, the highest partnership of the game for Daredevils, but on 32, the Bengal batsman dragged a wide one from Morne Morkel straight to midwicket in the 14th over.Daredevils dealt themselves another blow in the next over when Yuvraj strolled out after missing a sweep off Chawla and was stumped for 21 off 19.Angelo Mathews helped Daredevils take 43 off the last five overs, including 20 off Sunil Narine in the 19th. The offspinner had bowled a couple of tight overs before but was repeatedly slogged over midwicket at the death by Mathews and Kedar Jadhav. Umesh Yadav did not let Daredevils go past 150, giving away just three in the final over.Gambhir and Robin Uthappa were in control of the chase when Domnic Joseph removed the latter and Manish Pandey in fifth over, both batsmen trying to force boundaries but failing to clear the fielders.Suryakumar Yadav clubbed a few boundaries to add 48 with Gambhir, but it was the Knight Riders captain who piloted the chase. Putting away loose deliveries off his pads and finding gaps through the off side, Gambhir put Knight Riders on course. He is a difficult batsman to stop when he is able to dab singles behind point at will, which is what he did tonight.Gambhir’s fourth-wicket stand of 65 with Yusuf Pathan sealed it for Knight Riders. Yusuf did not look too comfortable at the start, but he lashed out at short balls, and stayed unbeaten on 40 off 26.