IPL: Kings XI thrash Pune Warriors by 7 wickets

Mohali: Kings XI Punjab registered their first win in the fifth season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a seven-wicket victory over Pune Warriors at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium in Mohali here on Thursday.

Englishman Dimitri Mascarenhas was the star of the show taking five wickets for 25 runs as he helped his team bowl out the Warriors for 115 in 19 overs.

Australian import Shaun Marsh came back into form with a brilliant 64 not out off 54 balls as the home team reached their target with 14 balls to spare.

Kings XI Punjab won the toss and elected to field on a pitch which had help for the fast bowlers.

The pitch though had no part to play in Pune's first wicket as Jesse Ryder (7), like in the previous match against Punjab, ran himself out. Captain Sourav Ganguly (16) hit three boundaries in his short stay at the crease but was caught at backward point thanks to a leading edge.

Marlon Samuels (2), Robin Uthappa (17) and Angelo Mathews (11), fell in quick successions without putting up a fight.

Former Delhi Daredevils batsman Mithun Manhas came to the rescue of the Sahara group-owned franchise, smashing three fours and a six on his way to 31 runs off 28 balls.

Mascarenhas was well supported by Harmeet Singh (2-23), who also chipped away with crucial wickets and never allowed the visitors to get a hold in the match.

Kings XI Punjab in reply had the worse possible start as Pune's hero of the last match Ashok Dinda, castled Paul Valthaty in the very first ball of the innings.

Shaun Marsh, who has been woefully out of form for Australia, walked in to join his compatriot and captain Adam Gilchrist (21), with whom he forged a crucial 50-run stand to put Punjab in the driving seat.

Marsh kept his cool and held one end up as Punjab to victory even though couple of wickets fell at the other end. With the run rate never going over a run a ball, the hosts cantered to a convincing win as Pune Warriors tasted defeat for the first time in the tournament this year. (IANS)