sport

Punjab labour to victory

Kings XI Punjab edged out Royal Challengers Bangalore by four wickets but made hard work of it as they suffered a late collapse.

The visitors appeared to be cruising as two big sixes from David Hussey saw them reach the end of the 16th over on 146 for two, needing just 13 runs from 24 balls to make their target of 159.

But trouble began when Nitin Saini went moments later for 50 and they made just one run off an excellent over from Andrew McDonald.

Azhar Mahmood then went in the next over, run out for two, and the 19th over saw both Hussey, who made 45, and Abhishek Nayar (2) depart.

Having added just eight runs off 18 balls, they started the final over nervously with Paras Dogra mis-hitting the first delivery for no score, and then being dropped by bowler Vinay Kumar on the second.

But after he added three from the next two deliveries, Piyush Chawla settled it in dramatic fashion with a huge six off the second ball he faced.

Earlier, Chris Gayle made 71 and Virat Kohli 45 as Bangalore appeared on course for a big score, but Azhar Mahmood, who took three for 20, struck to help restrict them to 158 for five.