Kolkata Knight Riders, a two-time champion on Tuesday smashed Sunrisers Hyderabad by an eight-wicket deficit in Qualifier 1 to make its way to the Indian Premier League (IPL) final in Ahmedabad.
KKR, who are all-rounders on the other hand were first guided by fast bowler Mitchell Starc’s burst during powerplay to dismantle below par Hyderabad for 159 runs before putting a good total while batting and entered their fourth IPL final.
However, KKR made easy work of that target without the services of hard-hitting English opener Phil Salt as they sprinted past it inside 14 overs.
With a quickfire 23 off just 14 balls, keeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz did his part perfectly at the top of the order during KKR’s clinical chase of 159.
After games, Gurbaz revealed that his mother was sick and recovering in Afghanistan but was not going to be available for Salt during the knockout stages so he returned back to join KKR.
“My mum is still in hospital recovering. I talk to her every day. But when Phil Salt left, I knew my KKR family needed me here. So I came back from Afghanistan, and I’m happy to be here. My mother is happy for me too,” said Gurbaz to media after match.
Salt had been excused and sent home with other England players earlier on so that they can play four T20I matches against Pakistan ahead of next month’s start of T20 World Cup in Americas.
Gurbaz this year just like any other player played his first match this season after sitting out throughout till Tuesday while Salt played all qualifiers he featured before eventually going home for international duty.
Besides making 23 with the bat in their qualifier one victory, Gurbaz also took two catches more at Kolkata Knight Riders which ensured that there was no boundary scored while playing against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The win has given KKR a direct entry into the IPL 2024 final on May 26.
