Star Metro - Iyer leads Punjab's chase of 220 to down Hyderabad

Openers Priyansh Arya, who hit 57 from 20 balls, and Prabhsimran Singh (51) set up Punjab's chase of 220 in a stand of 99 before Iyer played anchor and then bossed the opposition bowling in Chandigarh.

It was Punjab's 10th chase of over 200 in the T20 tournament.

Punjab registered their third win in four matches to stay unbeaten in this edition of the 10-team tournament. They shared one point with Kolkata Knight Riders in one rained-off match.

Left-handed Arya came out roaring as he hit a string of fours and sixes to dominate the first six overs of powerplay with good support from Prabhsimran.

But the two departed in quick succession to left-arm wrist spinner Shivang Kumar who also dismissed Cooper Connolly for 11 to finish with 3-33.

Those wickets dented the chase but Iyer steadied the ship with his well-crafted knock as he put on 69 with impact substitute Nehal Wadhera.

Iyer changed gears after the 14th over and reached his fifty off 24 balls as Punjab closed in on their target despite Wadhera missing a straight one from Harsh Dubey to be bowled for 14.

Shashank Singh joined the captain and hit the winning four in his unbeaten 14 to cap off a fine all-round show after he returned bowling figures of 2-20.

Earlier Hyderabad posted 219-6 after openers Abhishek Sharma, who hit 74 off 28 balls, and Travis Head (38) put on 120 for the first wicket.

Abhishek tore into the opposition attack and raised his fifty off 18 balls. His 74 included with eight sixes and five fours.

Australian batter Head joined in the charge with hits all around the ground.

Medium-pace bowler Shashank slowed the momentum by removing both openers in three balls in his first over, with Head mishitting to long-on and Abhishek holing out to deep extra cover.

Heinrich Klaasen attempted to get things moving again with his 33-ball 39 with some help from skipper Ishan Kishan, who hit 27, but Hyderabad suffered from regular fall of wickets.

S.Cloutier--SMC