IPL 2021- SRH vs RCB: Shahbaz Ahmed shines for Royal Challengers Bangalore, takes 3 wickets in 1 over- Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman Shahbaz Ahmed shined with the ball in only his second appearance for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021. He dismissed the likes of Manish Pandey, Jonny Bairstow and Abdul Samad (duck) in the 17th over. He bowled 2 overs and gave just 7 runs and took the three prized wickets that helped RCB defend 149 runs total at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday. He was bought for Rs 20 lakh in the IPL auction last year.
“It was a tough situation (bowling the 17th over), but I am happy that the captain trusted my ability. There was a bit of help from the surface and I exploited it. I was confident about bowling another over, but Siraj was bowling well and deserved to bowl. Bairstow’s catch was important (considering the situation), and I was happy that I got to hold another chance,” he said post-match.
An absolute sensational over from Shahbaz Ahmed.
Picks up the wickets of Jonny Bairstow, Manish Pandey and Abdul Samad.
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 14, 2021
SRH was right on track for a win with Warner and Manish Pandey stitching a 83-run stand for the second wicket but the side lost the plot in the middle overs. SRH collapsed from 96/1 to 123/6 within 4.4 overs and was managed 143/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Shahbaz picked three key wickets and delivered when RCB needed him the most.
Earlier Shahbaz was promoted up the order. He had his fair share of chances where he smoked a four but Shahbaz Nadeem got the better of him as RCB lost the second wicket just after the completion of powerplay.