Blackcaps skipper Kane Williamson guided Sunrisers Hyderabad to a six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in a low-scoring Indian Premier League (IPL) playoff in Abu Dhabi on Saturday (NZ time).
Williamson scored an unbeaten 50 - his 14th half-century in the IPL - and was awarded man-of-the-match after his side successfully chased down 132 for victory with two balls to spare.
The 30-year-old came to the crease with Hyderabad struggling at 43/2, but Williamson dug deep as he hit four boundaries - including two sixes - in the win.
Williamson formed a 65-run partnership with West Indies test skipper Jason Holder, who hit the winning runs with a four.
Hyderabad will face the Delhi Capitals on Monday, and the winner will then face Trent Boult's Mumbai Indians in Wednesday's final.
Hyderabad captain David Warner was full of praise for Williamson after the match.
"What a masterclass from Kane, he's done it for years for New Zealand," said Warner. "He always finds a way to dig deep when we're in trouble, he manages to stick in there.
"With the class of batting line up they had, you obviously knew there was something in that wicket with the new ball holding.
"At the end of the day, when you have a guy like Kane at the end [you back him]. Bit close for my liking.
"Delhi's a fantastic team, we've spoken about their world class bowling. Shikhar is in form, Shreyas as well who is a linchpin for them."
Mumbai are the defending IPL champions.
