Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy secured a 20-run victory over New Zealand A in the 14th match of the Top End T20 Series at Marrara Cricket Ground No.2 on Tuesday, with Sehan Jayasuriya anchoring the innings before Umer Khan led an effective bowling performance.
Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy were bowled out for 141 in 19.2 overs after New Zealand A captain Jayden Lennox decided to bat. Jayasuriya finished with a calm 33 from 28 deliveries, including three fours and a six, while captain Hammad Azam was at the helm with 29 from 24 deliveries, scoring four fours.
Milind Kumar and Shayan Jahangir scored 13 each while Ali Sheikh made 11 while Tajinder Singh contributed 18. Kristian Clarke was the top bowler for New Zealand A, claiming three wickets for 23 runs in 3.2 overs. There were two wickets apiece in the hands of Ben Lister, Josh Clarkson and Lennox.
Despite some efforts during the chase, New Zealand A ended up for 121 in 19.1 overs. Opener Max Chu was the biggest obstacle with 32 from 22 deliveries, three fours and two sixes.
Matthew Boyle scored 18 and Muhammad Abbas and Matthew Fisher scored 14 each. Dean Foxcroft knocked in 11, but the chase from the middle and bottom order was unable to keep going.
Umer was the leading wicket taker in the match with 3 wickets for 17 runs in four overs. He was assisted by two wickets from each of Scott Kuggeleijn and Ghulam Mudassar and one each from Ali Sheikh and Kumar.
This win was the second Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy had won in four games. The outcome gave them four points, which put them on the fourth position in the Top End T20 Series table with NZ A, but below on net run rate.
