Youngster spins win for Punjab

TEENAGE Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman snapped up three wickets in four balls to propel Kings XI Punjab to a six-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.

Earlier, all-rounder Hardik Pandya kept defending champion Mumbai Indians in contention with a 13-run victory over Mitchell Johnson’s and Chris Lynn’s Kolkata Knight Riders at home.

Mujeeb, 17, took 3-27 to restrict Rajasthan to 9-152 as their multimillion-dollar signings were baffled by the young Afghan spinner after Kings XI captain Ravichandran Ashwin opted to field.

Australian paceman Andrew Tye chipped in with 2-24 from his four overs before his side scored 4-155 in 18.4 overs. Big Bash power hitter D’Arcy Short lived up to his name for Rajasthan, falling for two from as many balls.

Kings XI opener Lokesh Rahul (84 off 54 balls) continued his supreme run of form and, despite losing Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal early, he carried the team to its sixth victory in the tournament.

“For me, this is the first knock that I would be really satisfied with because I won the game for the team,” Rahul said.

Rahul hit seven fours and three sixes in his third half century in this year’s IPL and shared a 68-run stand with West Australian Marcus Stoinis, who was unbeaten on 23.

Kings XI is now third with 12 points from six victories, two behind leaders Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings. AP