George Bailey led side will enter knockout stage unbeaten
Justin Kemp of the Cape Cobras congratulates Wriddhiman Saha of the Kings XI Punjab on the win during match held at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali (Photo: BCCI)
Mohali: A clinical Kings XI Punjab steamrolled Cape Cobras by seven wickets for their fourth win in a row as they ended their Group B engagements with a flourish in the Champions League Twenty20 tournament, here today. With this win, Punjab, who have already qualified for the semifinals, have finished on top of Group B with 16 points and will enter the knockout stage unbeaten.
The hosts were in complete control of the inconsequential rubber as they won the toss, shot out the South African side for a mere 135 in 18.3 overs and then overhauled the target without any fuss with 11 balls to spare overs at PCA stadium. It was Punjab bowlers who set up the win as paceman Anureet Singh (3/12) and spinner Akshar Patel (3/15) shared six wickets between them.
Richard Levi top-scored for the South African side with his 42-run knock but it was Hashim Amla who provided impetuous to their innings at start with his blistering 22-ball 40.
Amla and Levi were only ones who put up some resistance as other Cobras batsmen failed to get going and were bowled out without completing their 20-overs quota.
Cobras were 105 for two in the 13th over and lost last eight wickets for addition of just 30 runs. None of the Punjab batsmen set the field on fire but the target was so modest that their small contributions were enough for the easy win. Virender Sehwag (23) looked in good touch as he played some delectable drives on the off side before being dismissed
by Robin Peterson. The other Punjab opener Manan Vohra (23) became second victim of Peterson as the left-arm spinner gave away just 19 runs in his four overs.
Big-hitting batsman Glenn Maxwell (23) hit a six each off Omphile Ramela and Sybrand Engelbrecht but he also could not last long. Wriddhiman Saha kept holding the one end as he
guided the side home with his 35-ball 42. Saha hit three boundaries, including a six, in his innings while David Miller finished unbeaten on 16. Saha was excellent behinds the wickets also as he effected two stumpings and took one catch.
Brief Scores: Cape Cobras 135 in 18.3 overs (Richard Levi 42, Hashim Amla 40, Anureet Singh 3/12, Akshar Patel 3/15) lost to Kings XI Punjab 139 for 3 in 18.1 overs (W Saha 42 not out, V Sehwag 23; R Peterson 2/19).
( Source : PTI )
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