SRH player Abdul Samad believes that had his team held onto the two catches in the final over against Punjab Kings, they could have secured a comfortable victory by a margin of 15 runs. According to Samad, those missed opportunities proved costly in the context of the game’s outcome. Reflecting on the importance of fielding precision, he emphasized the need for better execution in such crucial moments to tilt the game in their favor.
The Final Over of PBKS’s Chasing:
In the match, despite facing early setbacks with three wickets down during the powerplay, SRH managed to accumulate a total exceeding 180 runs. This feat was largely attributed to Nitish Reddy’s impressive maiden half-century, supported by valuable contributions from Abdul Samad and Shahbaz Ahmed. Their combined efforts played a pivotal role in propelling SRH to a competitive total in the match.
During the chase of 183 runs, PBKS encountered frequent setbacks, dwindling to 114/6 in 15.3 overs. However, a remarkable resurgence led by Shashank Singh, who scored an unbeaten 46 off 25 balls, accompanied by Ashutosh Sharma’s aggressive 33 off 15 balls, brought them tantalizingly close to victory. Despite their valiant efforts, PBKS narrowly missed out on the win by just two runs.
In the decisive final over, Ashutosh Sharma hammered two towering sixes, with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) fielders narrowly missing the chance to intercept the ball before it cleared the boundary line. During the initial hit, Nitish Reddy attempted to catch the ball but unintentionally deflected it over the rope. Similarly, on the subsequent occasion, Abdul Samad also attempted a catch but ended up tipping the ball over the boundary line. These near-misses proved costly for SRH, highlighting the fine margins that can determine the outcome of a closely contested cricket match.
Abdul Samad After the Match:
Despite his drop catch in the crucial final over, Nitish showcased his prowess across all aspects of the game. He impressed with the bat, crafting a magnificent innings of 64 runs. Additionally, Nitish demonstrated his bowling skills by dismissing Jitesh Sharma. Despite the missed opportunity, his overall performance stood out as a significant contribution to his team’s efforts.
Samad said, We dropped two catches and they came close otherwise we would have won by 15 runs. Shashank and Ashutosh played really well in the final overs so it was a good contest.”
In Sunrisers Hyderabad’s recent encounter against CSK, Nitish played a composed innings, scoring an unbeaten 14 runs. Samad highlighted the evolution in Nitish’s playing style over the past two seasons. He noted the discernible difference, indicating Nitish’s adaptation and improvement, showcasing his ability to contribute effectively to the team’s performance in varying situations.
He said, “ Last year Nitish played conventional shots this time he looks completely different. He has prepared well and he made a good impact in our practice matches. Everyone is impressed by him and that is why they back him.”
With that, he also said, “I feel he was promoted because of the confidence that he gained in the last game. Everybody was confident that he would deliver.”
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