Punjab Kings (PBKS) stunned everyone by clinching a record win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a high-scoring IPL 2024 match as pulled off a record-breaking chase at the Eden Gardens stadium on April 26. This win not only ended PBKS' four-match losing streak but also kept their playoff hopes alive in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. Chasing a mammoth 262-run target set by KKR, PBKS' batters rose to the challenge. Kolkata had earlier batted first, putting up an impressive total thanks to stellar performances by their openers, Phil Salt (75 runs) and Sunil Narine (71 runs). The middle order continued the momentum, propelling KKR to a formidable 261/6. Despite the daunting task ahead, Punjab Kings displayed remarkable grit with the bat. They chased down the target in a dominant display, reaching 262 runs in just 18.4 overs with eight wickets in hand. Jonny Bairstow anchored the chase with a brilliant century, while Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh provided crucial support with their explosive fifties. This historic victory not only revived PBKS's season but also etched their name in IPL history. PBKS successful chase of 262 runs against KKR is now the highest chase ever recorded in T20 cricket. This surpasses the previous record held by South Africa, who chased down 259 against West Indies in 2023.
Sikandar Raza's departure, a big setback for PBKS
However, Punjab Kings' celebrations were dampened shortly after their historic win. Their star all-rounder Sikandar Raza announced his departure from the IPL on Saturday morning via his X (formerly Twitter) account. He will be joining his national team, Zimbabwe, for their upcoming five-match T20I series against Bangladesh, scheduled from May 3 to 12. Raza's absence will be a significant setback for PBKS as they strive to maintain their newfound momentum. Notably, a five-match T20I series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe is scheduled to start on May 3, 2024 and conclude on May 10, 2024.
"Thank you India, @IPL and @PunjabKingsIPL for having me , loved every minute of it. Time for national duty now," wrote Sikandar Raza.
Sikandar Raza, a world-renowned limited-overs all-rounder, had a limited showing in IPL 2024. Despite his reputation, he only featured in two matches, scoring a total of 43 runs. This is a significant drop-off from his performance in the previous IPL season where he played seven games, scoring 139 runs with a half-century and picking up three wickets. His lack of playing time in IPL 2024 suggests he wasn't fully utilised by the Punjab Kings.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
