Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CHEVRONS star Blessing Muzarabani watched again from the sidelines in the IPL on Wednesday, but this time around for a change, his Kolkata Knight Riders managed to beat Mumbai Indians by four wickets.
Although the fast bowler got the breakthrough he needed after a fantastic T20 World Cup performance in Sri Lanka and India, he has not seen as much action as he would have liked.
The Zimbabwe star, who turned down a contract with the Pakistan Super League, opting for the IPL, has so far played two matches for KKR and has four wickets to his name.
Going into the Mumbai Indians game, it had been speculated that Muzarabani could yet get another opportunity as Varun Chakravarthy was injured.
However, the spinner, who has been part of their high-performing KKR attack along with Sunil Narine, played with the pain to ensure they got the important win.
Mumbai Indians managed to put 147 on the board for the loss of eight wickets, and KKR reached the target with seven balls to spare. It turned out the bowlers decided the match.
After the win, Hardik Pandya said the IPL has become more of a batters’ field and bowlers are helpless.
“I don’t mind playing on such wickets where bowlers have something to do; the IPL is becoming batting-dominated where bowlers are helpless … so I kind of enjoyed this pitch,” Hardik was quoted by Cricinfo.
He was suggesting Mumbai Indians were 20 runs short on their total, giving KKR a chance in the process.
“(on the fielding) I don’t know, we have been quite poor throughout the season, no one wants to do it, but there’s no hiding away, we haven’t taken those chances. Last game is an ESA game for the children, want to give them a smile, entertain them and make them happy, lifetime memories for them.”
The win kept Kolkata Knight Riders hopes of an unlikely playoff spot alive.
