Shami, Pant Lead Lucknow Super Giants To Victory

HYDERABAD: (Web Desk) – Mohammed Shami’s brilliant figures of 2-9, combined with an unbeaten 68 from skipper Rishabh Pant, propelled the Lucknow Super Giants to a thrilling five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL on Sunday. Shami’s early strike dismantled Hyderabad’s top order, reducing them to 26-4, before the home team managed 156-9 at Uppal Stadium.

Lucknow started their chase confidently but stumbled mid-innings, requiring composure from Pant, who guided them to victory with one ball remaining for their first win of the season in two matches. Aiden Markram’s 45 off 27 balls had given Hyderabad hope, but quick dismissals of Ayush Badoni and Nicholas Pooran put pressure on the chase.

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In the final over, needing nine runs, Pant struck three fours, sealing the win off Jaydev Unadkat. Shami’s opening burst removed Abhishek Sharma for a duck and Travis Head for seven in successive balls, setting the tone. Veteran quick Shami, with 462 international wickets across formats, continues to impress domestically despite being out of India’s national setup since the 2025 ODI Champions Trophy final.

Hyderabad had fought back with Heinrich Klaasen (62) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (56) putting on a 116-run counter-attacking partnership, but once they fell, Hyderabad’s lower order collapsed under pressure from Prince Yadav and Avesh Khan, who each took two wickets to complement Shami’s impactful spell.