Harbhajan hits last-over six in Mumbai win

Friday, 27 May 2011 00:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Mumbai, (AFP): Harbhajan Singh cracked a last-over six as Mumbai Indians posted a four-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday.

Mumbai needed seven runs in the final over to achieve a 148-run target, but New Zealander James Franklin took a single of the first ball off Bangladesh spinner Shakib Al Hasan before Harbhajan smashed the next for a six. Franklin made an unbeaten 29 off 25 balls, while Harbhajan contributed a five-ball 11 not out.

Mumbai will now clash with Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday, the winners of their match meeting Chennai Super Kings in the final. Kolkata bowed out of the Twenty20 tournament.

Mumbai were strongly placed following an 81-run stand for the opening wicket between Australian Aiden Blizzard (51) and skipper Sachin Tendulkar (36) before losing their way.

Blizzard, who hit two sixes and seven fours in his 30-ball knock, reached his half-century with a six off Australian paceman Brett Lee before being caught in the deep while attempting another big shot off the next delivery.

Munaf Patel earlier played a key role in restricting Kolkata despite an impressive 70 not out by Netherlands’ Ryan ten Doeschate as he took two wickets in his opening two overs, including that of South African Jacques Kallis.

Kolkata were struggling at 20-4 in the opening six overs after being put in to bat before ten Doeschate led the recovery with a 60-run stand for the fifth wicket with Yusuf Pathan (26).

Ten Doeschate, who cracked three sixes and six fours in his 49-ball knock, then added 41 for the sixth wicket with Shakib (26) to help his team post a competitive total.

Paceman Patel struck with his fourth delivery when he had Kallis (seven) caught by Tendulkar, who took a superb low catch at mid-off. He got another wicket in his next over when he removed Shreevats Goswani.

Harbhajan got a big wicket when he bowled skipper Gautam Gambhir (four) before seamer Dhawal Kulkarni trapped Manoj Tiwary lbw to put Kolkata under pressure.