Numerous records crashed and multiple new milestones were scripted as Punjab Kings (PBKS) won one of the most jaw-dropping matches of all time against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on April 26 (Friday). PBKS gunned down the biggest score in the history of the T20 cricket and they did so with 8 balls to spare. Chasing a 262-run target, the PBKS stormed to the finish line with eight wickets to spare. The match witnessed a record number of sixes as well as both teams combined to smash 42 sixes.
Prabhsimran, Bairstow give a flying start to PBKS
Chasing a historic target required the Punjab Kings to begin the pursuit by throwing the kitchen sink at the KKR bowlers in the powerplay. Prabhsimran Singh did exactly that and gave his team a chance to believe. Jonny Bairstow joined the party during the dying stage of the powerplay but once he opened his arms, the ball kept flying deep into the stands regularly. Prabhsimran smashed five sixes and four fours in his scintillating knock of 54 runs off just 20 balls. The right-handed batter's onslaught came to an end in the worst possible manner as he was run out.
Bairstow unleashed hell on KKR's bowling attack after losing his opening partner and the English batter sizzled with a belligerent knock, silencing the crowd in the process. Bairstow scored his first half-century of the season and continued to press the accelerator.
Rilee Rossouw played a quick-fire cameo of 26 runs off 16 balls and played his part in a fabulous partnership with Bairstow. Shashank Singh walked in at No.4 and launched two sixes which put the Kings in the driver's seat for a famous victory.
Bairstow brought up his century in 45 balls but the task was not finished as PBKS still required 52 runs off four overs.
Shashank took the onus on himself to finish the game and once again displayed his ability to clear the fence under pressure, just like he had done previously in the tournament. Bairstow and millions of fans were mere spectators to Shashank's outrageous six-hitting ability as the right-handed batter stood at his crease and launched lusty blows into the stands.
Shashank brought up his half-century in no time and dashed KKR's hopes. In the end, Shashank remained unbeaten on 68 runs off 28 balls with the help of two fours and eight sixes. Bairstow remained unbeaten on 108 runs off 48 balls. In his pulverising innings, Bairstow smashed 8 fours and 9 sixes.
Sunil Narine kept the KKR in the game with his spell of 1/24 in four overs in a match that was dominated by batters.
Sunil Narine, Phil Salt carnage lights up Eden Gardens
After KKR was asked to bat first, Sunil Narine and Phil Salt delivered a powerhouse performance as their stellar opening stand propelled Kolkata Knight Riders to an impressive 261/6. It was for the second time this season that KKR managed to breach the 250-run mark.
Narine was in scintillating form, smashing nine fours and four sixes to score 71 runs off just 32 balls. It was Narine's third half-century of the season, following scores of 85 runs against Delhi Capitals and 109 against Rajasthan Royals.
Phil Salt matched Narine’s intensity, hitting a 37-ball 75 runs that included six fours and as many sixes, marking his third fifty of the season. Both Narine and Salt reached their fifties rapidly, with Narine taking 23 balls and Salt 25 balls, as they compiled a quickfire 100 runs in the first eight overs.
KKR was well positioned at 190/2 in 15 overs, eyeing to surpass their highest total of 272/7 set earlier in the season against Delhi Capitals. Although the middle and lower order couldn't fully capitalise, Shreyas Iyer’s quick 28 off 10 balls, which included three sixes, helped push the score past the 260-run threshold.
Andre Russell tried to maintain the momentum with a swift 24 off 12 balls, but the scoring pace slowed down momentarily after the openers departed. However, Iyer reignited the innings by blasting Sam Curran for 22 runs in an over before falling to Arshdeep Singh, who ended with figures of 2/45.
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