CHRIS DHAMBARAGE
COLOMBO – Marcus Stoinis struck and unbeaten half century and Mohsin Khan delivered a splendid last over to help the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) snatch a thrilling five-run victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 63rd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday.
Middle order batsman Stoinis scored an unbeaten 89 from just 47 balls with the help of eight sixes and four boundaries to enable LSG recover from an early setback and post a challenging 177 for three from their 20 overs after they were put into bat.
MI made a good start to their run chase, and they looked very much in control when Ishan Kishan and Skipper Rohit Sharma added 90 runs for the opening wicket in less than 10 overs.
However, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi pulled things back for the home team as he had both the openers holing out in the deep in an impressive spell of two for 26 from his four overs.
From there on, none of the MI batters got going, with the likes of Yash Thakur (2/40) and Mohsin chipping in with wickets to swing the game towards the home side.
MI eventually were left with the task of scoring 11 runs from the last over, but Mohsin rose to the big occasion and conceded just five runs to give his team a remarkable victory in their final match on their home grounds.
“My aim was to execute what I used to practice and back my strength. I told Krunal (Pandya) I will bowl what I was always trying. My run-up wasn’t short, even though I felt so. I was trying to keep myself calm and not look at the scorecard,” Mohsin said after the game.
“I was playing after one year. I was injured and it was a tough time. My father was in the hospital in the ICU, and he was discharged yesterday, and I am hoping he is watching. Today I played for my father, Mohsin stressed.
Earlier, dashing right-hander Stoinis put on a batting masterclass, on a challenging surface, smashing an unbeaten 89 to help LSG amass 177 for three after they had collapsed to 35 for three at one stage.
Stoinis joined Skipper Pandya and rescued the home team while adding 82 runs for the third wicket stand before the latter retired hurt on a well-made 49 from 42 balls.
Chief scores
Lucknow Super Giants: 177/3 in 20 overs (Krunal Pandya 49 retired hurt, Marcus Stoinis 89 n.o, Jason Behrendorff 2/30)
Mumbai Indians: 172/5 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 59, Rohit Sharma 37, Tim David 32 n.o, Yash Thakur 2/40, Ravi Bishnoi 2/26).
