MOHALI, India, CMC – Sunil Narine sparkled but only briefly in his new role as opener as his Kolkata Knight Riders suffered their fifth defeat of the Indian Premier League campaign with a 14-run loss to Kings XI Punjab here yesterday.
Asked to chase a tricky 168 for victory at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, KKR were held to 153 for six off their 20 overs. Narine stroked 18 from 10 deliveries with four boundaries in a 39-run opening stand off 22 balls with Chris Lynn, before missing a swing at seamer Mohit Sharma and having his stumps rattled in the fourth over. Lynn top-scored with 84 off 52 balls, with eight fours and three sixes, before perishing in the 18th over, with 36 runs required from 16 balls. Narine had earlier claimed one for 27 from his four overs of off-spin as Kings XI, sent in, rallied to 167 for six off their 20 overs. Australian Glenn Maxwell top-scored with 44 from 25 deliveries.
KKR remain second in the standings on 16 points only ahead of the third placed Rising Pune Supergiant on net run rate.
Kieron Pollard’s Mumbai Indians remain top of the league on 16 points.
