A collective bowling performance by Sunrisers Hyderabad restricted Kings XI Punjab to a meagre 143/6 in 20 overs in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Saturday.
Medium pacers Mustafizur Rahman (2-9) and Moises Henriques (2-33) were the pick of the bowlers for Hyderabad, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed one wicket. Shaun Marsh (40) was the top scorer for Kings XI.
Put into bat, Kings XI got off to a disappointing start losing opener Murali Vijay (2) in the third over itself to have the visitors in the backfoot.
But his opening partner Manan Vohra (25) looked good right from the start, sneaking in with ones and twos and striking three fours and one six before he ran himself out in the final ball of the powerplay to leave the team at 35/2.
Incoming batsman Marsh used his experience to best effect to hold on to the wicket. But Punjab from there on received two quick blows in one over with Henriques dismissing hard-hitters David Miller (9) followed by Glenn Maxwell (1) in the 10th over to have the visitors in a spot of bother at 65/4.
Marsh was the lone fighter for his side after hitting three boundaries and two sixes until young Bangladeshi sensation Mustafizur got the left-handed batsman leg before wicket to have Punjab in trouble at 89/5 in 14th over.
But Axar Patel (36 not out) and Nikhil Naik (22) played a handy knock in the end to help team cross 140-run mark.
Mustafizur was exceptional with his variations as he conceded only nine runs in his four overs.
Brief Scores: Kings XI Punjab 143/6 in 20 overs (Shaun Marsh 40; Muztafizur Rahman 2-9, Moises Henriques 2-33) vs Sunrisers Hyderebad
--IANS
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