Mishra, Perera give Hyderabad a scratchy win over Punjab

It took hefty blows from Thisara Perera at the end to give Hyderabad a much deserved win. That, after a clinical bowling performance yet again as Amit Mishra came to the party to trigger a late Punjab batting collapse. (BCCI Image)

Apart from Adam Gilchrist (26 off 25) and Piyush Chawla (23 off 15), none of the batsman really got going for Punjab. (BCCI Image)

Punjab did try to start brightly with skipper Adam Gilchrist and young Mandeep Singh, the latter looking to hit out early on. He did not manage to last too long though as Ishant Sharma took sweet revenge after being hit for a four earlier in the over. Singh attempted a pull yet again but only managed to lob a catch as keeper Quinton de Kock almost made a hash of it. He scored 10 off 11 balls. (BCCI Image)

Meanwhile, Paul Valthaty, playing his first match this season, came in to join his captain but looked in trouble right from the outset. He never found his feet as Karan Sharma (leg-spinner) and Amit Mishra were introduced early by Cameron White. Valthaty's painful knock also pressurised Gilchrist as the momentum was curtailed. (BCCI Image)

This led to the Punjab skipper trying to hoist young Sharma but his quicker delivery accounted for the Australian. He went for 26 off 25. Valthaty then did his team even more harm, departing in the same over of Sharma trying to hit a fuller one for six. Perera took a comfortable catch at long-off. He scored 6 off 17 balls. (BCCI Image)

Punjab then sprung up a surprise as David Hussey was joined by Piyush Chawla on the crease. The move though, immediately paid dividends as Chawla hit impressive Karan Sharma for two huge sixes in the bowler's third over. Even last match star Amit Mishra was not spared by the Punjab left-hander. (BCCI Image)

Sunrisers then removed the dangerous looking Chawla courtesy a run-out as the left-hander, trying a pull shot from way behind the crease, was left stranded. His innings of 23 from 15 balls though, provided crucial momentum. (BCCI Image)

Hussey too could not carry on much further as Ishant got his second of the night. The Australian tried to smash a full ball but holed out to Akshath Reddy, who fumbled it initially but took it eventually. He scored 22 off 24 balls. (BCCI Image)

A flurry of wickets at the end saw Kings XI Punjab gift away their decent position to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 25th match of the Indian Premier League 2013, being played in Hyderabad. From being 104/4 in 16.2 overs, the visiting side capitulated to 123/9 as Amit Mishra starred again for the home side. He took 2/29 while young Karan Sharma took 2/19. Ishant Sharma and Dale Steyn were equally impressive with figures of 2/29 and 1/14 respectively. (BCCI Image)

Punjab started on a bright note to remove Quinton de Kock in the very first over a Praveen Kumar's in-swinger completely baffled the South African youngster. (BCCI Image)

Youngsters Hanuma Vihari and Akshath Reddy then ensured that the Hyderabad innings did not crumble at the top. Both played solidly to pacify early attack by Punjab bowlers. (BCCI Image)

Vihari was particularly impressive in his knock of 46 from 39 balls. (BCCI Image)

Manpreet Gony gave his heart out for Punjab grabbing crucial wickets of Akshath Reddy and skipper Cameron White. His figures read 1/24 at the end. (BCCI Image)

Piyush Chawla too tried valiantly but Hyderabad's ploy to play out his overs worked well for them. His figures of 1/25, getting Vihari, too helped Punjab's cause but more wickets were needed. (BCCI Image)

Punjab bowlers did tighten up the noose in the middle overs but clean hitting by Thisara Perera at the end ensured that Hyderabad did not have any trouble in crossing the line. He scored 23 off 11 balls with three huge hits across the fence. (BCCI Image)