Hyderabad look to Rashid for IPL final flourish

MUMBAI: Sunrisers Hyderabad are banking on Afghan sensation Rashid Khan to fire one more time against the Chennai Super Kings in Sunday’s (today’s) Indian Premier League final.

After a string of brilliant performances in IPL, the 19-year-old will be in the spotlight as the Sunrisers seek a second title — and a $4-million prize — against Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Super Kings.

Khan’s spin bowling has made him one of the hottest properties in cricket over the past year. But he has shown in the IPL this year that he can bat too.

His 10-ball 34 and three crucial wickets set up the Sunrisers’ semi-final win over the Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday.

New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, a last-minute replacement for scandal-tainted David Warner as the Sunrisers’ captain, said Khan would be vital in the final.

“He was brilliant but he’s got another game, so we’re going to keep him... under wraps,” Williamson said after Friday’s win in Kolkata. “He’s had a great season for us. Now it is important we move on and focus on the final.”