IPL 2019: Mohammad Nabi praises Mumbai bowlers after SRH’s heart-breaking loss

Former Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) were just one win away from securing a playoff berth in Mumbai on Thursday but they missed it a whisker. Chasing 163 to win, the SRH ended up with the same total as the Mumbai Indians (MI) made and then lost the game in a high-octane Super Over. While the win took the MI to the playoffs, the SRH is now left with no choice but to win their remaining game in the tournament which is against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on May 4.

The SRH’s Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi is confident that his team will keep the disappointment behind and go all out in the next game to clinch a playoff spot. The SRH did well, to begin with, winning three of their first four games but three consecutive losses thereafter and three losses in the last four games have put their chances in a quandary. The loss of dashing openers David Warner and Jonny Bairstow who have returned to their respective countries for the WC preparations have made things worse for the 2016 champions.

“It is disappointing because if we can’t win on such pitches and lose after coming so close, then it is bad luck for our team. In the whole tournament, we have come close and lost matches. In the last match, we will give 110 per cent and hope that we qualify,” Nabi was quoted as saying by Sportstar following the disappointing loss to the MI. It was only the second game of the season that was decided in the super over. The previous one happened on March 30 when Kolkata Knight Riders lost to Delhi Capitals after the game ended in a tie in the regular time.

Nabi added crucial 49 runs with Manish Pandey who hit a six to tie the game against the MI. However, the Afghan said it was Mumbai “brilliant” bowling that had stopped them from accelerating in the middle overs.

Mumbai bowled brilliantly

“We tried to hit the big ones, but they bowled brilliantly. The ball was reversing with (Lasith) Malinga and (Jasprit) Bumrah around. And they bowled brilliant yorkers as well. I thought we’ll go for the big hits but it’s not possible to hit yorkers for six. That’s why we took singles,” he said.

Nabi particularly praised Bumrah who executed it excellently in the death overs as well as in the super over.