Mumbai Indians thrash Kings XI Punjab by 48 runs
Mumbai Indians (MI) powered their way to a smashing 48-run victory over Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match played in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday.
After racing to an imposing 191 for four, MI produced an equally good performance on the field to restrict their opponents to 143 for eight in 20 overs.
Nicholas Pooran hit a top score of 44 for KXIP from 27 deliveries with the help of two sixes and three boundaries.
James Pattinson, Jasprit Bumrah and Rahul Chahar caused the damage for MI with three wickets each.
Earlier, MI recovered from a slow start to post a formidable 191 for four from their 20 overs after they were invited to bat first.
The MI innings was built around a superb half century from Skipper Rohit Sharma who smashed 70 from 45 balls inclusive of three sixes and eight boundaries.
The 33-year-old right-hand opener brought up his half century off 40 balls as he reached the mark with four runs by striking the second ball of the 16th over from James Neesham fine of long leg. He then smashed Neesham for another four runs and back-to-back maximums.
MI finished their innings with a flourish as they added 37 runs in the last two overs. Hardik Pandya (23) first smashed Jimmy Neesham for a maximum and two back-to-back boundaries before hitting the second ball of the 19th over from Shami over short third man for four runs.
In addition, Kieron Pollard (29) hammered Shami for three back-to-back boundaries as MI managed to overhaul the 190-run mark which almost looked impossible at one stage.
(Agencies)