Haryana beat Kerala by four runs to qualify for the knock-outs of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament with an all-win record in Group E while Bihar registered their fifth win on the trot, defeating Mizoram by six wickets in their final Plate group match to enter the knockout phase on Tuesday.
Haryana topped the Elite Group E points table after winning all their five matches.
Put in to bat, Haryana rode on Shivam Chauhan’s 59 and a late onslaught by Rahul Tewatia (41 not out off 26 balls) to post a big total of 198/6. Later, their bowlers held their nerves to restrict Kerala to 194/6 and eke out a narrow win.
Later, Rahul Tewatia, one of the stars to emerge out of last year’s IPL, took the onus on himself and plundered four fours and two sixes to guide the team to 198/6.
For Kerala, two-down Sachin Baby top-scored with 68, but could not take his side home. They lost in-form opener Robin Uthappa (8) early. Mohammed Azhauddenn (35) and skipper Sanju Samson (51) kept…