Mohali, May 7 (IANS) Kings XI Punjab posted a highly-competitive total of 181 for five in 20 overs in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Delhi Daredevils at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium here on Saturday.
Opening the batting along with Murali Vijay (25), Marcus Stoinis scored 52 runs off 44 deliveries with three hits to the fence and a couple of sixes. The other major contributor was Wriddhiman Saha, who also scored 53 but just from 33 deliveries. Saha hit seven fours.
Asked to bat, the hosts were off to a good start with Vijay going after the Delhi bowlers. The Chennai batsman scored a 16-ball 25 with four boundaries before Carlos Brathwaite pulled off an excellent bit of fielding at midwicket off Chris Morris' bowling to send him on his way.
The second wicket of Punjab fell soon as debutant Hashim Amla (1) was run out following a mix-up with Stoinis, with the scoreboard reading 48/2 in seven overs.
The 26-year-old Australian Stoinis posted a 58-run partnership along with Saha to help lay the foundation for a competitive total.
Right-hander Stoinis was holed out by Sanju Samson at long-on off Zaheer's bowling in the 14th over.
Thereafter, Saha started his onslaught. The right-hander collected two fours in the 15th over bowled by Amit Mishra, while the following over, bowled by Zaheer yielded him three consecutive fours.
Glenn Maxwell (11-ball 16) departed in the sixth ball of the 18th over off Chris Morris and in the very next delivery, Saha also joined the Australian in the dug-out. The partnership between the duo milked 46 runs in 3.1 overs.
Later, unbeaten batsmen David Miller (11 off six deliveries) and Axar Patel (16 off five balls) helped Punjab finish on a strong note.
Among the Delhi bowlers, South African medium pacer Morris took two wickets for 30 runs, while Zaheer and Mohammad Shami bagged a wicket each.
Brief scores: Kings XI Punjab: 181/5 (Marcus Stoinis 52, Wriddhiman Saha 52; Chris Morris 2/30) vs Delhi Daredevils.
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