Yara Sandeep smashed a match-winning 93 as Amaravathi Royals registered a five-wicket victory over Vijayawada Sunshiners in an Andhra Premier League clash at the ACA International Stadium here on Friday.

After losing M. Abhinav early, Sunshiners recovered well to record 59 runs by the end of the PowerPlay. M. Harshit Yadav and K. Ashwin Hebbar stitched together a crucial 74-run partnership to put the innings back on track.

Hebbar’s knock, however, ended when he holed out to T. Varun Sattwik at long-on off M. Toshit Yadav. Royals then struck at regular intervals, preventing Sunshiners from building on the platform. The innings eventually ended at 170.

In the pursuit, Royals skipper Sandeep delivered a composed, unbeaten 93 off 61 balls (4x4, 6x6). Despite wickets falling at the other end, he paced the innings expertly to guide his side home with six balls to spare.

On Thursday, Kakinada Kings prevailed over Tungabhadra Warriors. The Warriors were bundled out for 158, after which Kings, led by Abhishek M. Reddy’s half-century, chased down the target with an over remaining.

The scores: Vijayawada Sunshiners 170 in 20 overs lost to Amaravathi Royals 173/5 in 19 overs (Yara Sandeep 93 n.o.). On Thursday: Tungabhadra Warriors 158 in 19.4 overs (M. Hari Sankar Reddy 3/18) lost to Kakinada Kings 161/6 in 19 overs (Abhishek M. Reddy 50).