Irfan powers Kings XI win over Royals

Cape Town, April 26: All-rounder Irfan Pathan struck a valuable 39 and then picked up two crucial wickets to fashion Kings XI Punjab’s convincing 27-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League match here today.

Riding on a 51-ball 60 by Kumar Sangakkara and an equally important 33-ball 39 by Irfan, Kings XI Punjab first posted a modest 139 for six after electing to bat first and then restricted the Rajasthan Royals at 112 for seven in the stipulated 20 overs.

Chasing 140 to win, Rajasthan Royals lost half their side within seven overs for 36 runs, thanks to a disciplined piece of bowling by pacers, Irfan (2/26) and Yusuf Abdulla (3/21) and leg-spinner Piyush Chawla (2/22).

Irfan started the proceeding, striking twice in his very first over, removing openers — Swapnil Asnodkar (3) and Graeme Smith (2) — to leave the Rajasthan Royal struggling at nine for two in two overs.

Abdulla then followed Irfan’s footsteps and dealt two more severe blows when he had Rob Quiney (7) and Dimitry Mascarenhas (4) back into the pavillion in his second over.
New man Yusuf Pathan (10) tried to break the shackles and hammered two fours in the fourth and sixth bowl off Irfan’s second over. But he too perished at short fine leg off Piyush Chawla in the 6.4 over.

Double finish for Force India in Bahrain Grand Prix

Sakhir, April 26: Force India today achieved its modest target of a double finish in the Bahrain Grand Prix with Giancarlo Fisichella bringing home his car in 15th position, followed by teammate Adrian Sutil.

Starting 17th on the grid, Fisichella gained four places from his starting position on the first lap and had graduated to 12th by his first pit stop on lap 15.
The Italian then moved up to 10th and by the midpoint of the race was racing with Renault and McLaren cars.

The Italian, however, had increasing discomfort in the closing stages of the race with his seat and he finished the race 15th.

Sutil had a strong race from 19th on the grid and the German was 11th by his late first stop, thanks to an aggressive strategy.