Sunil Narine equals IPL's fastest fifty record

Left-handed batsman scores 15-ball half-ton in Kolkata’s win over Bangalore

NEW DELHI: West Indies all-rounder Sunil Narine equalled an Indian Premier League record as he hit a whirlwind half-century off just 15 balls to lead Kolkata Knight Riders to a big win over struggling Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Narine smashed a 17-ball 54 — including six fours and four sixes — as Kolkata reached the 159-run target in 15.1 overs to win by six wickets late on Sunday.

Narine and Australian Chris Lynn put together a 105-run opening partnership in the first six overs of Sunday's game. Lynn needed 22 balls to make his 50 at Bangalore's M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

If West Indies are looking for a new opener in the shorter format @SunilPNarine74 it is ! @IPL

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) May 7, 2017

He was outdone by Narine who, despite being better known for his off-spin bowling, matched Yusuf Pathan's 15-ball half-ton for Kolkata in 2014.

"I'm surprised too. Lynn just said keep your eyes on the ball, keep focused and swing at it. I try to keep it simple," Narine said.

"I'll hopefully get used to the expectations but it really was a team effort. Umesh's [Yadav] wickets early especially were key and I'm thankful for it," added Narine.

Bangalore's batting again faltered with big-hitter Chris Gayle, who fell for a golden duck in his 100th IPL game, skipper Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers managing just 15 runs between them.

Australia's Travis Head hit an unbeaten 47-ball 75 to take Bangalore to 158-6 in 20 overs. Kolkata paceman  Yadav took three wickets while man-of-the-match Narine bagged two.

Gautam Gambhir-led Kolkata lie second in the eight-team table, with bottom-placed Bangalore already out of the play-off race in the cash-rich league.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjuFI4Aua2Q