Maxwell, Balaji star in Kings XI Punjab's 72-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad

A impressive half-century by Glenn Maxwell and Lakshmipathy Balaji's inspired bowling spell led the Kings XI Punjab to a 72-run victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad in an Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Set a daunting task of having to chase 194 for victory, the Sunrisers were bundled out for 121 in 19.2 overs due to Balaji, who claimed 4-13 in four overs, and Maxwell, who scored his third consecutive half-century, with Punjab posting 193 for six.

According to Sport24, Mitchell Johnson (2-26) struck in his first over, dismissing the Sunrisers' captain Shikhar Dhawan for a single, following which right-arm seamer Balaji dismissed both Aaron Finch (19) and David Warner (eight) in his first over to leave the Hyderabad franchise languishing on 33 for three after five overs.

The report mentioned that the Kings XI Punjab have now won three games on the trot, including their first-ever victory over the Sunrisers, and sit atop the IPL log with six points while the defeat saw Hyderabad drop to the foot of the table after having lost both their opening games.