JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, CMC – Royal Challengers Bangalore roared into the semi-finals of the Champions League Twenty20 yesterday, beating Highveld Lions by six wickets with an over to spare at New Wanderers Stadium.
Chasing 160 for a spot in the last four, Bangalore got an outstanding unbeaten 49 from Virat Kohli to reach their target, after the game was interesting poised at 112 for four at the end of the 15th over.
The 21-year-old right-hander cracked four fours and two sixes off 29 balls and posted an unbroken 48 from 24 balls for the fifth wicket with Cameron White who scored 19 from 12 balls with a four and a six.
Earlier, Manish Pandey hammered 44 at the top order in a 53-run opening stand with Rahul Dravid (33) as Bangalore raced away to a great start.
At 85 for one in the 12th over, Bangalore looked set to cruise but they lost three wickets for 27 runs in the space 21 balls to give the Lions a sniff.
Winning the toss and batting earlier, the Lions were led by Alviro Petersen who hammered 45 from 29 balls with three fours and two sixes.
He added 44 for the third wicket with Vaughn van Jaarsveld who scored 24, after Lions slipped to 29 for two in the fourth over.
Neil McKenzie scored a measured 39 from 35 balls down the order to keep the innings alive.
