Pune Warriors post second consecutive win; beat Punjab by 22 runs

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Pune Warriors recovered from a shaky start to score their second consecutive victory in the Indian Premier League as they defeated Kings XI Punjab by 22 runs, here on Sunday.

Clambering at 32 for two at one stage after electing to bat, Pune Warriors posted a competitive 166 for six, built around 81-run partnership between Marlon Samuels (46) and Robin Uthappa (40).

It was not a big total to chase but a good start always helps and it was not the case with Punjab. They lost both the openers – Paul Valthaty (1) and skipper Adam Gilchrist (6) –
in run outs.

The Punjab batsmen never recovered from the twin blows and all they could manage was 144 for eight in reply.

Apart from top-scoring for Warriors, Samules also contributed with the ball, giving away 23 runs in his three overs and taking one wicket.

Warriors had beaten formidable Mumbai Indians in their tournament opener.

The first overs fetched Punjab just 13 runs and the required run-rate climbed to over 10. Mandeep Singh (24) and Abhishek Nayar (24) had a huge task at hand but they had barely reached 50-run mark in the 10th over that Jesse Ryder had Mandeep caught behind.

Only four boundaries were scored by Punjab in the first 10 overs and they needed 114 runs in the last 10 to win.

David Hussey, the highest run-scorer in Twenty20 cricket, also could not do much for his side, as he contributed 18 runs before being bowled by Rahul Sharma.

Earlier, Samuels and Uthappa's 81-run stand for the third wicket to help Warriors recover from a pathetic start as they had lost both the openers inside first five overs.

Samules' 46 runs came off 39 balls with six boundaries including two sixes while Uthappa took 33 balls for his 40, which contained two fours and as many sixes.

Both of them were dismissed by paceman Harmeet Singh, who was the most successful bowler for his side with a three-wicket haul at the expense of just 23 runs.