Pune knock Kolkata out of IPL

Warriors end nine-match losing streak with thrilling seven-run win.

There was drama in the Indian Premier League (IPL) yesterday as Pune Warriors knocked Kolkata Knight Riders out with a thrilling seven-run win at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.

The star performers for Pune were man-of-the-match Manish Pandey (66) and captain Aaron Finch (48), who guided Pune to 170 for four.

In reply, Yusuf Pathan hit a 44-ball 72, his first IPL half-century in three years, but his effort went in vain as Kolkata fell short by seven runs. Pathan was dismissed in bizarre fashion as he became the first batsman in IPL history to be given out for obstructing the field.

With the win, Pune broke their nine-match losing streak, a statistic Finch was relieved to achieve. “We have played some good cricket throughout but haven’t been able to get over the line,” he said, according to ESPNcricinfo. “We are happy to knock KKR off.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2013.