SHARJAH — Glenn Maxwell produced yet another blistering knock of 43-ball 95 before Lakshmipathy Balaji returned with a four-wicket haul as Kings-XI Punjab notched up a crushing 72-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad here Tuesday. After scoring 95 and 89 in his last two innings, Maxwell once again produced a devastating knock, which was studded with nine sixes and five fours as Punjab posted an imposing 193 for six in its stipulated 20 overs. George Bailey's men then came up with a clinical bowling display to dismiss Hyderabad for 121 with four balls to spare at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium as Punjab registered its third straight win in IPL-7. Maxwell, who was dropped by David Warner off Karn Sharma in the 10th over before Darren Sammy had him caught on a no-ball in the 15th over, shared 68 runs off 27 balls with David Miller for the third wicket. He also added 35 runs with Cheteshwar Pujara and 25 runs with skipper Bailey. Seam bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji returned with incredible figures of 4-0-13-4, while Mitchell Johnson (2-26) and Akshar Patel (2-20) snapped two wickets each. Sandeep Sharma (1-26) and Rishi Dhawan (1-23) took one each for Punjab. Chasing 194 to win, Hyderabad found the going tough as it was reduced to 33 for three in 4.5 overs. While Mitchell Johnson struck the first blow dismissing skipper Shikhar Dhawan (1) in his second ball, it was Balaji`s twin strike in his opening over which derailed its run-chase. Score: Kings-XI Punjab 193 for 6 (Maxwell 95, Bhuvneshwar 3-19) beat Hyderabad Sunrisers 121 (Balaji 4-13) by 72 runs. — Agencies
