MUMBAI: Punjab Kings thrashed Royal Challengers Bangalore by 54 runs in the Indian Premier League match on Friday following blistering knocks by Liam Livingstone and Jonny Bairstow.
Kings were put in to bat and amassed a challenging total of 209 for nine in 20 overs after Bairstow and Livingstone scored brisk fifties against a faltering bowling line-up of Bangalore at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
Bairstow hit a 21-ball half-century but was caught by Mohammed Siraj off Shahbaz Ahmed at 66 before Livingstone took charge and scored a 42-ball 70 run knock.
Kings opener Shikhar Dhawan made a 21-run knock but was clean bowled by Australian Glenn Maxwell in the powerplay.
But Bairstow continued with the attack hitting seven sixes and four fours.
Skipper Mayank Agarwal tried to accelerate the score but fell to Harshal Patel at 19.
Kings tail-enders could not capitalise on the brilliant innings by Livingstone who kept losing their wickets.
Patel was the top wicket taker for Bangalore and returned with figures of 4 for 34.
Wanindu Hasaranga took two while Maxwell and Ahmad bagged once each. In reply, Bangalore lost the momentum in the powerplay after they were down by three wickets for 40.
Bangalore skipper Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli opened the innings for the team but could not make a mark with their bats.
Kohli scored 20 runs before Kagiso Rabadahe picked him up in the third over followed by Du Plessis in the next at 10.
Rajat Patidar's knock of 26 ended after he fell to Rahul Chahar but Maxwell on the other end tried to accelerate the run scoring.
Maxwell scored three fours and a six in his 35 before being caught at long-off by Arshdeep Singh off Harpreet Brar.
Bangalore tail-enders buckled under pressure and kept losing their wickets at regular intervals, losing four wickets for 38 runs.
Mohammed Siraj (9) and Josh Hazlewood (7) remained unbeaten at the end of 20 overs.
"Stats would suggest I quite enjoy opening the batting. The bats are very good, I must admit," Bairstow said, who was declared the player of the match. -- AFP
Brief scores: Punjab Kings 209-9 (Liam Livingstone 70, Jonny Bairstow 66; Harshal Patel 4-34) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 155-9 (Glenn Maxwell 35, Rajat Patidar 26; Kagiso Rabada 3-21) by 54 runs.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
