IPL Match 34: Misbah Ul Haq smashes 21 runs off 8 balls vs Punjab XI

Shaun Marsh notched up his second successive half-century to lead Kings XI Punjab to a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Bangalore Royal Challengers in their IPL Twenty20 match here tonight.

Chasing 144 to win, hosts easily overhauled the target with 4.2 overs to spare.

Earlier, electing to bat, the Bangalore team could manage just 143 for eight as their batsmen struggled to negotiate a disciplined bowling by opponent pacers.

The opening pair of James Hopes (27) and Shaun Marsh (74 not out) laid a strong foundation for a comfortable victory as they put on 42-runs and provided a good start to their team.

Marsh, who had hit 58 in his last innings, was dropped on individual score of 12 but did not give any chance afterwards and hit Dale Steyn for 19 runs in the 11th over of the innings to reach his fifty in just 35-balls.

The left-handed Australian consumed just 51 balls for his furious knock, which was adorned with nine boundaries and two sixes.

Marsh along with compatriot Luke Pomersbach produced an unbeaten 102-run partnership for the second wicket.

After a cautious start, Hopes opened his arms and struck three huge sixes in his short innings.

R Vinaykumar drew the first and only blood on just second delivery of his first over when he had Hopes, going for a big shot, caught by Steyn near the boundary ropes.

However, nothing worked for the visitors after that as Marsh and Pomersbach scored at will and punished bowlers all around the park.

For the Royal Challengers, Pakistani Misbah-ul-Haq (21) eased off the pressure by hitting some thunderous shots but did not last long as he once again perished in a strange manner.

Misbah trod on to his stumps while negotiating a Sreesanth delivery which came in, forcing him to begin a long trudge back to pavilion.

Kohli (21) followed his Pakistani teammate when he was castled by Chawla though not before hitting the young spinner for a couple of boundaries.

Skipper Rahul Dravid then joined Cameron White (10) but once again a strong partnership eluded the visitors.

White was undone by a stunning caught and bowled by Chawla, who ran about 15 yard towards mid-wicket to latch on to a mistimed shot.