Big Bash League champions Perth have suffered final-over heartbreak in the Twenty20 Champions League tournament in Hyderabad, going down by three wickets to runaway Group A leaders the Kokata Knight Riders.
The reigning IPL champions, who reached the winning target at 7-153 with two balls to spare, have now won 12 consecutive matches, but they were given an almighty fright on Wednesday night by the Scorchers - who were led by a sterling effort from allrounder Yasir Arafat, who finished with team-best figures of 3-39.
After Adam Voges' unbeaten 79 had steered the Scorchers to 7-151 from their 20 overs, they appeared to take control of the match when the Knight Riders slumped to be 2-13 and then 3-37 after six overs in response.
Coupled with a vintage display of economical bowling from veteran tweaker Brad Hoff (0-19 off four overs), the Scorchers carried all the momentum.
But a late-hitting barrage was led by Suryakumar Yadav (43no off 19) who belted four sixes, including consecutive efforts off Nathan Coulter-Nile in the penultimate over to swing the match back in the Kolkata's favour.
That meant just five were required from Arafat's final over, a get-out-of-jail feat which was achieved with two balls to spare.
The Scorchers, who won their opening fixture, have games against the Chennai Super Kings and the Lahore Lions remaining - both of which become must-win fixtures if they are secure their spot in the next stage of the lucrative tournament.
In positive news for Justin Langer's team, fast-bowling allrounder Coulter-Nile made a successful comeback from injury and claimed two wickets.
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