Kings XI Punjab found their third win of the campaign in a lost cause but dented Royal Challengers Bangalore’s bid to move into the top four in a shortened game at Mohali.
As rains cut into three hours of play, promoted opener Wridhiman Saha got Punjab to a perfect start with 31 runs in 12 balls and posted 106 for six in the revised 10-over innings.
Bangalore’s Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers got into double digits but gave away their wickets that derailed their chase as Punjab won by 22 runs.
Punjab remained at the foot of the standings with six points from 13 matches despite the win. Bangalore stayed at the fifth spot with 13 points from 12 matches.
Bangalore sent their two destructive batsmen West Indian Gayle and Kohli to open the innings.
They began briskly picking up boundaries at every possible opportunity. But Kohli (19) in the third over was dismissed in trying to force the pace.
Gayle (17) soon followed his captain getting caught while trying a big shot to reduce Bangalore to 44 for two in 4.4 overs.
With two of their best ball-bashers gone, the onus was on another renowned power hitter South African AB de Villiers (10) to lead Bangalore’s cause. But he departed early too putting Bangalore in a spot of bother at 67 for three in 6.4 overs.
Earlier, wicketkeeper-batsman Saha was promoted and he opened with Manan Vohra, who scored 11 in six balls.
Saha made most of the opportunity of batting up the order, hitting 31 in just 12 balls. His knock included five fours and a six.
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Prop idols
Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.
Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.
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Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.
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Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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