IPL 2021: There was a clear plan for Sharjah, says Aiden Markram after PBKS win over SRH

PBKS won the low scoring thriller against SRH by 5 runs.

By Swapnil Shireesh Javkhedkar - 26 Sep, 2021

Punjab Kings (PBKS), after a loss against Rajasthan Royals from a completely winning position, came back strongly in match 37 of IPL 2021 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Sharjah where they defended a small target of 126 runs.

The PBKS batter Aiden Markram who was the top scorer for the Punjab-based franchise said that the team had everything under control even though they were restricted to a low score of 125/7 in their quota of 20 overs.

I must be honest, it looked like guys had everything in control. There was a clear plan out there on that wicket until the very last ball we stuck to that plan and it was very good to see.

The pressure can make you sort of change plans, and then in hindsight you always should we have changed? It is good to see guys stuck to their plans and it was a very good feeling to get over the line,Markram said in a virtual post-match press conference.

IPL 2021: ‘Wanted to get 20-30 more runs but we'll take the win’, PBKS skipper KL Rahul elated after beating SRH

The right-hand batter from South Africa made 27 (32) which included a couple of boundaries then talked about the nature of the wicket at Sharjah which was quite difficult for batting which was evident as the match turned out to be a low scoring thriller on Saturday (25 September).

I found it tough, sort of anything with pace off, was holding on the wicket and even pace on balls, it was not coming on so it was quite tough. Naturally, they have a high-quality spinner in Rashid Khan and he was always going to be a handful on a surface like that,” the South Africa cricketer said.

It was tough in general, very difficult to find a boundary, the outfield was thick. Tough day for batting but it is about learning and hopefully, we can improve as a batting unit,” he added.

While the batters had a tough day at the office, bowlers enjoyed the wicket at Sharjah and the 26-year-old Markram lauded Mohammad Shami (2-14) and Ravi Bishnoi (3-24) which ensured PBKS got over the line against SRH.

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The entire bowling unit was incredible. Mohammed Shami started with wickets, and it is always crucial when defending low scores. Spinners Harpreet Brar and Ravi Bishnoi were incredible, it is important for us going forward and we can take confidence from this as a team,” right-handed Markram concluded.

After a fantastic win over SRH, the KL Rahul and Co. will be taking on defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) who are yet to win a match in this UAE-leg of IPL 2021 on Tuesday (28 September) at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

(With ANI Inputs)

By Swapnil Shireesh Javkhedkar - 26 Sep, 2021

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