Skipper K.L. Rahul's unbeaten 91 (57 balls, 7x4s, 5x6s)helped Punjab Kings (PBKS) make 179 for five in 20 overs in their IndianPremier League (IPL) match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) here atthe Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday night.
Rahul's onslaught helped PBKS realize 40 runs in the lasttwo overs of Harshal Patel after they were struggling to reach a competitivetotal.
The Punjab franchise had lost opener Prabhsimran Singh(7) early before Chris Gayle (46 off 24 balls) and Rahul took charge. Gayle'sknock comprised six fours and two sixes and took the team score to 99 in the11th over. After Gayle's dismissal that left the team at 99 for two, PBKS lostthree more wickets quickly which set them back and threatened to restrict themto under 150.
However, Rahul and newcomer Harpreet Brar (25 not out in17 deliveries) added unbeaten 61 for the sixth wicket that took PBKS to theireventual score. Brar hit two sixes off Patel.
For RCB, New Zealand pace bowler Kyle Jamieson took twofor 32 while left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed took one wicket for 11 runs.
Seam bowler Daniel Sams took one for 24.
Brief scores: Punjab Kings 179/5 in 20 overs (KL Rahul 91not out, C Gayle 46, K Jamieson 2/32, D Sams 1/24) vs Royal ChallengersBangalore.