Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) had a terrible IPL 2021 season which continued in their last league match against the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) as the latter won the match by 42 runs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The SRH all-rounder Mohammad Nabi while talking after the match made it clear that it was difficult to play a match after being benched for a long time.
“As a cricketer, it is difficult sitting on the bench and then being chosen for a game. It was our last match, so the management told me that I am free to play. I tried to bowl economical spells, Mumbai got off to a good start. I got an opportunity, it is tough to play a game after a long time,” Nabi said during a virtual post-match press conference.
While the MI batter took the SRH bowling attack apart with Ishan Kishan scoring 82 off 34 balls and Suryakumar Yadav getting 82 off 40 balls which helped the five-time champions to get to 235/9 in their quota of 20 overs.
Even though the Mumbai-based franchise won the game by 42 runs, the Afghanistan off-spinner Nabi took five catches in the outfield becoming the first player to do so in a single IPL game.
“When the catches come, will take it. Grabbing on to the chances is crucial, I focus on my fielding. I took five catches and it was good to take them,” the 36-year-old concluded.
Despite a great win, Rohit Sharma and Co. failed to qualify for the playoffs owing a lower net run-rate as compared to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
The Orange Army on the other hand ended their IPL 2021 campaign at the bottom of the points table with only 6 points to their name in 14 matches (3 wins, 11 losses).
(With ANI Inputs)
