IPL 2018: Rashid, Shakib star as Hyderabad pip Punjab by 13 runs

Hyderabad, April 27 (Cricketnmore) Spin twins Rashid Khan and Shakib Al Hasan shared five wickets between them to help Sunrisers Hyderabad defend a meagre 132 against Kings XI Punjab by 13 runs in a nail-biting Indian Premier League (IPL) clash as the Orange Army vaulted to the No.2 spot in the points table.

Demoted to No.3, Kings XI Punjab squandered a watchful 55-run opening start from Chris Gayle and Lokesh Rahul before falling apart, as Rashid (3/19) and Shakib (2/18) triggered a batting collapse to see the team home amid thunderous applause from the vociferous crowd at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Thursday.

While Gayle (23 off 22 balls; 4x1, 6x2) started with a thunderous six over off-spinner Mohammad Nabi's head before going into a shell, Rahul (32 off 26; 4x4, 6x1) sent the Afghan tweaker to the cleaners on three consecutive occasions to outscore his West Indian opening partner.

Rahul's innings was laced with a range of stylish cover drives and straight drives even as Gayle found back his groove by welcoming medium pacer Basil Thampi for a thunderous six, and helping his side past the 50-run mark.

With Punjab sailing smoothly towards the target, Kane Williamson brought in his strike bowler Rashid Khan, who responded in style by hammering Rahul's off-stump with a googly.

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