Bairstow's unbeaten century leads Punjab to highest run chase in IPL history
KOLKATA, India (AP) — Jonny Bairstow’s unbeaten century off 45 balls spearheaded Punjab Kings to the highest successful run chase in Indian Premier League history on Friday.
Punjab scaled Kolkata Knight Riders’ impressive 261-6 with a stunning 262-2 to win by eight wickets with eight balls to spare.
Opener Bairstow finished 108 not out off 48 balls, Shashank Singh was 68 not out off 28, and the other opener Prabhsimran Singh posted 54 off 20 as Punjab ended a four-match run.
Eden Gardens was sprayed with 24 sixes by Punjab after 18 by the home side.
Prabhsimran Singh set the pace early on, hitting four fours and five sixes as he and Bairstow produced Punjab’s best ever power play score. Prabhsimran Singh was run out at the end of the sixth over at 93-1.
Bairstow reached his half-century off 23 balls and accelerated to 100 off the next 22. His second IPL hundred included nine sixes and eight boundaries.