Punjab beat Kolkata by 23 runs

ABU DHABI: Kings X1 Punjab restricted Kolkata Knight Riders to 109 runs to win by 23 runs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Kolkata won the toss and put Punjab in to bat who only managed 132 runs in their 20 overs with the help of a 30 ball 37 by V.Sehwag. His innings was laced with 3 boundaries and a maximum.

The spin duo of SP Narine and PP Chawla bowled extremely well for Kolkata to get 3 wickets a piece for 24 and 19 runs respectively.

In reply Punjab kept losing wickets at regular wickets and were finally dismissed for 109 falling 23 runs short of their target.

The only resistance came from SA Yadav who played a 17-ball cameo of 34 with 3x4s and a six.

Sandeep Sharma was the most successful bowler for Punjab picking up 3-21 for which he was later adjudged player of the match.

MG Johnson and AR Patel also bowled well for the winners.

Kolkata beat Bangalore by 2 runs

SHARJAH: Vinay Kumar kept his nerve to defend 9 runs in the last over as Kolkata Knight Riders beat Royal Challenger Banglore by 2 runs in a nail bitter at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Winning the toss and electing to field first Bangalore must have been happy with their effort after keeping Kolkata to 150/7 in 20 overs.

Main contributors for Kolkata were J.Kallis(43) and CA Lynn (45).

V.Aaron finished with 3-16 in his 4 overs for the Royal Challengers.

In reply Bangalore were going comfortably towards the total with a 67 run 1st wicket partnership.

But after the dismissal of skipper V.Kohli (31), Yuvraj once again struggled to maintain the scoring rate and when he was dismissed in the 19th over for a slow 34 ball 31, Kolkata started smelling victory.

Still with 9 runs needed in the last over Kolkata needed some brilliant bowling by Vinay Kumar and one of the best catches taken so far in the tournament by Lynn to record a 2 run win.

SP Narine bowled some tight lines to finish with 1-17 off 4 overs with the prize scalp of V.Kohli.

CA Lynn was declared player of the match.