Mumbai fall short

MUMBAI, India (CMC):

West Indies stars Kieron Pollard and Lendl Simmons both struck uptempo half-centuries, but failed to prevent Mumbai Indians from a narrow seven-run loss to Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League yesterday.

Set an imposing 231 to win at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai made a valiant effort before finishing on 223 for six off their 20, with opener Simmons top-scoring with 59 and fellow Trinidadian, Pollard, unleashing an explosive unbeaten 50.

Simmons set the stage for a successful run chase when he lashed five fours and four sixes off just 32 balls as he put on 99 for the first wicket with wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, who made 38 from 23 balls.

Their departures saw four wickets fall for 22 runs in the space of 24 deliveries to leave Mumbai stumbling on 121 for four in the 13th over.

ENERGISED INNINGS

However, Pollard stepped up, belting a four and five sixes in a 24-ball cameo to energise the innings in a 55-run, fifth-wicket partnership with Hardik Pandya (30).

Mumbai needed 16 from the last over bowled by seamer Mohit Sharma, and even though Pollard blasted a six off the second ball, he was then held scoreless from the next three.

Earlier, opener Wriddhiman Saha delivered a splendid 55-ball unbeaten 93 to propel Kings XI up to 230 for three after they were sent in.