Punjab go head held high

Kings XI Punjab produced an allround show as they ended their Pepsi Indian Premier League campaign on a winning note with a 50-run humiliation of Mumbai Indians here on Saturday. Riding on fine half centuries from Azhar Mahmood (80) and Shaun Marsh (63), Punjab posted a big total of 183 for four after being put in to bat and then shot Mumbai out for 133 in 19.1 overs at the picturesque HPCA Stadium.

Punjab ended the tournament with 16 points from 16 matches while the outcome of this match did not make much of a difference to Mumbai, except for the fact that their confidence has been dented ahead of the knock-out stage. Despite the loss, Mumbai, who ended the league stage on 22 points from 16 matches, would still play against Chennai Super Kings in the Qualifier 1 in New Delhi on May 21 as their top-2 finish had already been secured before this match. Chasing a big target of 184, Mumbai never had a substantial partnership, the biggest being the 39-run stand between captain Rohit Sharma (25) and Kieron Pollard (22) for the sixth wicket. Ambati Rayudu top-scored with a 22-ball 26. Brief Scores: Kings XI Punjab 183/8 (Azhar Mahmood 80, Shaun Marsh 60; L Malinga 3/39) bt Mumbai Indans 133 (Piyush Chawla 2/20)