Kings XI cruise past Cobras

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Cricket365
September 30, 2014

The Kings XI Punjab cruised to a seven-wicket victory over the Cape Cobras with Askar Patel and Anureet Singh bagging career-best figures.

In what ended with the Kings XI picking up an easy win with 11 balls to spare, started with a blistering knocks by openers Hashim Amla and Richard Levi who pilled-on 60 for the Cape Town based side that was sent in to bat.

It became evident during the earlier match between the Barbados Tridents and the Hobart Hurricanes that it was going to be a difficult surface to bat on.

Prior to the contest the groudsman had to water the surface and this was key in the decision to send the Cobras in – although that call was in doubt during the initial few overs when Amla blasted the ball to all corners.

He was at his most destructive when facing Thisara Perera who would at one stage concede five consecutive boundaries to the South African Test skipper.

Amla would eventually lose his wicket to legspinner Karanveer Singh – his departure sparking a collapse that changed the game on its head.

While Levi continued to play his part for a few more overs, the Cobras eventually lost their last seven wickets in 33 balls while adding only 30 to their total at the time.

Patel took and Sigh both went on to take three wickets as they stopped their opponents in their tracks one ball into the 19th over.

Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha made a significant contribution with the bat later-on, but also played a key part in the collapse as he claimed two stumpings off Akshar’s bowling while taking a super catch off Anureet.

The chase turned out to be a fairly routine affair with Sehwag and Vohra putting up 41 runs for the first wicket before Saha – unbeaten on 42 – played his role in seeing his team over the line.