Pune, Dec 14 (UNI) Tamil Thalaivas put in a spirited performance but Patna Pirates’ raiders Devank and Ayan propelled the three-time champions to an important win at the Badminton Hall in the Balewadi Sports Complex here during PKL Season 11.
Patna Pirates won 42-38 on Friday night with Devank getting 12 points and Ayan adding 13 to the cause. Shubham Shinde also registered a High 5.
For Tamil Thalaivas, who are on the verge of being knocked out of the playoffs race, Moein Shafaghi scored 11 points and Sachin bagged 8.
Devank started things off for Patna Pirates and along with Ayan, helped their team race into a 3-point lead within the first few minutes.
Patna Pirates were dominating the early exchanges and Tamil Thalaivas were under pressure.
Devank was scoring raids in a hurry and midway through the first half, Patna Pirates inflicted an All-Out which extended the lead to 7 points.
Moein Shafaghi and the defensive unit were looking to mount a comeback. Sachin was chipping in with a few crucial raids as well. At the half-time break, Patna Pirates led 20-15.
Early in the second half, Nitesh Kumar’s quick raid accounted for Ayan and Tamil Thalaivas were threatening to turn the game on its head.
But Deepak’s raid kept Patna Pirates in the box seat. That brought Devank back on the mat and he landed a three-point raid as well to complete his Super 10 and give his side a 10-point lead.
Sachin though had picked up the baton from his defence and was leading the fightback for Tamil Thalaivas.
At the half-hour mark with the deficit at 4 points, Tamil Thalaivas were in the ascendancy and had successfully kept Patna Pirates’ star raiders Devank and Ayan at bay.
For a bit it was left to Ayan to counter attack for Patna Pirates and in the process, he too completed his Super 10. Tamil Thalaivas landed an All-Out moments later with Amir Hossein and Sahil Gulia holding fort in defence.
Moein Shafaghi too registered his Super 10, but Patna Pirates continued to hold the lead. With just over 4 minutes in the game, it was a 5-point lead. Eventually, Patna Pirates held on and walked off with the win.
