Sport - Cricket

Kings XI’s march continues

MOHALI: Continuing its success story, Kings XI Punjab tightened the screws on Kolkata Knight Riders to script a nine-run victory in the DLF Indian Premier League at the PCA Stadium here on Saturday.

After setting a challenging target of 179, Kings XI reduced Knight Riders to 29 for four in five overs and eventually won its fourth game on the trot despite David Hussey’s desperate bid to salvage some pride for the Knight Riders. This was Knight Riders’ fourth successive loss.

If Knight Riders managed to reach 169 for six in 20 overs, it was mainly due to Hussey’s 46-ball 71, including four sixes and four boundaries.

In the company of Prasanta Saha, who caught the eye with an unbeaten 59 off 32 balls, studded with four sixes and two fours, Hussey added 104 runs for the sixth wicket. The stand was instrumental in bringing down Kings XI’s margin of victory.

It was Irfan Pathan who made the difference to the fortunes of Kings XI. After scoring a timely, unbeaten 24 off 26 deliveries late in the Kings XI innings, he had a hand in the first three dismissals that set the tone for his team’s victory. He took a catch in the deep to send back Sourav Ganguly and then accounted for opener Mohd. Hafeez and Brad Hodge.

The scores: Kings XI Punjab: 178 for six in 20 overs.

Kolkata Knight Riders: M. Hafeez b Pathan 13, S. Ganguly c Pathan b Sreesanth 5, D. Das c Yuvraj b Sreesanth 5, B. Hodge lbw b Pathan 1, D. Hussey c Hopes b Gagandeep 71, L. Shukla b V.R.V. Singh 7, P. Saha (not out) 59, A. Agarkar (not out) 1; Extras (b-1, w-6): 7; Total (for six wkts. in 20 overs): 169.

Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-23, 3-25, 4-29, 5-50, 6-154.

Kings XI Punjab bowling: Sreesanth 4-0-25-2, Pathan 4-0-18-2, V.R.V. Singh 4-0-31-1, Gagandeep 4-0-43-1, Hopes 3-0-35-0, Chawla 1-0-16-0.

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