Rashid fires SRH to final

A whirlwind innings and a stellar spell from Rashid Khan secured Sunrisers Hyderabad's passage to the Indian Premier League final courtesy of a 14-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in the second qualifier in Kolkata yesterday. 

Rashid hit an unbeaten 10-ball 34 that helped realise 60 runs in the last three overs and then took three for 19 from four overs. Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's contributions were also pivotal. Coming in at 60 for two after skipper Kane Williamson's dismissal, Shakib's 24-ball 28 set the stage for Rashid's four sixes and two fours to take them to 174 for seven.

Then, after Kolkata raced to 67 for one after six overs, miserly spells from Shakib -- he gave away just 16 runs from three overs for the crucial wicket of Dinesh Karthik -- and Rashid pulled the run rate back to the point that even a late flurry could not save the day for the hosts.

Shubman Gill threatened to steal the match for Kolkata with a 20-ball 30 but 19 runs off the last over from Carlos Brathwaite proved to be a leap too far. Hyderabad will now compete for the prized trophy with Chennai Super Kings in Sunday's final.

SCORES IN BRIEF

Hyderabad: 174 for 7 (Rashid 34 not out, Shakib 28, Hooda 19; Kuldeep 2-29, Chawla 1-22) 

Kolkata: 160 for 9 (Lynn  48, Gill 30, Narine 26; Rashid 3-19, Brathwaite 2-15, Kaul 2-32, Shakib 1-16)

Result: Hyderabad won by 14 runs