Kolkata: A Yusuf Pathan blitzkrieg of 22-ball 72 powered Kolkata Knight Riders to the first qualifier of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as they humbled Sunrisers Hyderabad by four wickets at the Eden Gardens here Saturday.

Needing to wrap up the game in 15.2 overs to finish second in the league stage over Chennai Super Kings after Sunrisers posted a challenging 160/7, Pathan hit the Challengers like a raging bull, taking away the game single-handedly.

KKR's Yusuf Pathan (right) celebrates win with teammate Suryakumar Yadav against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Garden in Kolkata on Saturday

He plundered seven massive sixes and five fours as the home side raced to a winning 161/6 in only 14.2 overs, and would now play the qualifier at the same ground on May 27.

Pathan was out in the 14th over caught in the deep but not before making the difficult job seem like a walk in the park. He broke the record for the fastest 50 in the IPL, previously set by Adam Gilchrist.

For the visitors, leggie Karn Sharma ended up figures of 4/38.