David Miller came to Kings XI Punjab’s rescue, smashing a 34-ball unbeaten 46 under immense pressure to help his side to a four-wicket win over Barbados Trident in the Champions League Twenty20 in Mohali.
After being put into bat, Barbados posted an above par 174 for six, riding on half-centuries from Dilshan Munaweera (50) and Raymon Reifer (60).
In reply, the Kings held their nerves to get over the line. Needing 25 off the last two overs with four wickets in hand, it was Miller and Akshar Patel (23) who completed the job for the Kings with two balls to spare.
Earlier in the innings, Punjab got off to a good start with openers Virender Sehwag (31) and Manan Vohra (27) sharing 41 runs in 22 balls but were halted by a sturdy Barbados bowling attack led by Ravi Rampaul.
Wriddhiman Saha and Glenn Maxwell got starts but could not carry on and skipper George Bailey failed, leaving his side 131-6 and in need of a saviour.
It was then left up to Patel and Miller to perform the rescue act, which they did in fine style.
Earlier, opener Munaweera blasted five boundaries and three sixes in his 26-ball stay, while Reifer cracked three fours and four hits sixes in his unbeaten 42-ball innings after Kings XI Punjab skipper George Bailey won the toss and asked Barbados to take first strike.
For Punjab, Parvinder Awana was the pick of the bowler as he scalped three wickets, while Thisara Perera (2/15) and Anureet Singh (1/32) were also among wickets at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium here.
Moment of the match: David Miller looked like the only hope for Kings with the bat, but it was Akshar Patel's (below) cameo that made the difference. His 29 runs off just nine balls was just the kind of support that Miller was looking for which makes his knock, the moment of the day.
Man of the Match: David Miller was awarded the man of the match award for his 34-ball 46. He held one end while wickets tumbled on the other end thus keeping his side in the game till the end and giving them a real shot at the target.
Brief scores: Kings XI Punjab 178 for 6 (Miller 46*) beat Barbados Tridents 174 for 6 (Reifer 60*, Munaweera 50, Awana 3/46)
