Delhi Jets did not feel the absence of skipper Marvan Atapattu as former Pakistani opener Taufeeq Umar slammed a sparkling half-century to lead the side to a five-wicket win against Hyderabad Heroes in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) Twenty20 match in Panchkula on Sunday.
Umar (52), who opened the innings, was involved in 78-run stand with S Abbas Ali, who struck a quickfire 43 off 31 balls to take the match away from the opponents.
Atapattu did not play the match because of stomach ailments and JP Yadav captained Delhi Jets in his absence. After restricting the Heroes to 141, the Jets were in absolute command right from the start of their chase and they went on to achieve the target in 17.4 overs.
Man-of-the-match Umar's knock of 52 came off 41 balls and was studded with six boundaries and a six. Abdul Razzaq took two wickets for the Heroes.
Earlier, Hyderabad Heroes lost two wickets quickly with just 17 runs on the board after they had opted to bat first.
Inzamam (34), who looked in good form, and South African import Nicky Boje (45) kept the run rate up, before the former Pakistan captain fell to an Ali Murtaza delivery which kept low and cleaned him up.
Once again Azhar Mahmood (0) failed to click while Ambati Rayudu (16) too disappointed the thin Sunday crowd that had turned up to watch the match.
TP Sudindra and A Murtaza of the Heroes took two wickets each. Jets had lost the inaugural match to Chandigarh Lions.
Hyderabad Heroes:
A Singh c Nixon b Sudhindra 8
A Mahmood lbw b Sudhindra 0
A Rayudu st Nixon b Murtaza 16
N Boje run out 45
Inzamam-ul-Haq b Murtaza 34
A Razzaq not out 29
C Harris not out 0
Extras: (B-2, LB-1, W-3, NB-3) 9
Total: (For 5 wickets in 20 overs) 141
Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-17, 3-45, 4-97, 5-135
Bowling: SJ Srivastava 4-0-24-0, TP Sudhindra 4-0-25-2, Jai P Yadav 4-0-26-0, DM Benkenstein 3-0-36-0, A Murtaza 4-0-24-2, S Abbas Ali 1-0-3-0
Delhi Jets innings:
T Umar not out 52
M Mishra c Reddy b Azhar Mahmood 23
N O'Brien c Khaleel b Abdul Razzaq 1
S Abbas Ali c Khaleel b Absolem 43
D Benkenstein run out 11
JP Yadav c Reddy b Abdul Razzaq 6
P Nixon not out 0
Extras: (LB-3, W-3, NB-1) 7
Total: (For 5 wickets in 17.4 overs) 143
Fall of wickets: 1-32 2-35 3-113 4-127 5-134
Bowling: Abdul Razzaq 3.4-0-31-2, Azhar Mahmood 3-0-21-1, KS Sahabuddin 1-0-9-0, PIS Reddy 4-0-22-0, CZ Harris 2-0-16-0, N Boje 1-0-11-0, AT Rayudu 1-0-11-0, A Absolem 2-0-19-1