Hyderabad down Punjab to keep top-two hopes alive

HYDERABAD, India, May 19 (AFP): Indian batsman Abhishek Sharma smashed 66 as Sunrisers Hyderabad kept their hopes alive for a top-two finish in the IPL league stage with a four-wicket win over Punjab Kings on Sunday.
Chasing 215 for victory, Hyderabad, who are already among the top four teams to have made the play-offs, reached the target with five balls to spare at their home.
The former champions, led by Pat Cummins, have moved to 17 points from 14 matches and will need Rajasthan Royals to lose the second match of the day against toppers Kolkata Knight Riders or a no result in the game to stay in top two.
The first- and second-placed teams have the advantage of two chances to qualify for the final on May 26 in Chennai.
Left-handed Abhishek, who has been a breakout young Indian star in this edition with 466 runs including three half-centuries, took charge after Travis Head departed for a first-ball duck.
He reached his 50 in 21 balls and hammered five fours and six sixes in his 28-ball blitz to set up the chase.
Abhishek put on an attacking stand of 72 with Rahul Tripathi, who smashed 33, before Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen steadied the innings and hit back.