Tiwary's 57 help Pune post 159/5 against Mumbai Indians

Opener Saurabh Tiwary struck a much-needed 57 off 45 balls to guide Rising Pune Supergiants to 159/5 in 20 overs against Mumbai Indians in the Maharashtra derby of the Indian Premier League (IPL) clash here on Sunday.

Put into bat, Pune got off to a poor start losing opener batsman Ajinkya Rahane (4) in the second over itself with just eight runs on the board.

From there on, his opening partner Tiwary and incoming in-form batsman Steve Smith (45 off 23) held on without losing any more wickets to score at a good pace and help team reach 54/1 after completion of the powerplay.

Smith, who scored his maiden IPL ton in his last match, showed his class with the willow yet again as he used his experience to best effect to close his on another half-century.

But as he was looking set after striking four boundaries and three sixes, seamer Jasprit Bumrah bowled cleverly as the Australian edged one past him to carry it safely to wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel, bringing a 84-run partnership for the second wicket to an end in the 10th over.

The home side suffered their third blow in the 13th over when Peter Handscomb (6) trying to sweep Harbhajan Singh was caught by Jos Buttler at deep square leg, to have Pune reduced to 105/3.

Despite wickets falling at the other end, Tiwary made the most of the time spent at the crease to bring up his half-century in just 39 balls.

Following the wickets of Handscomb and Tiwary in the 18th over, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (24) and Thisara Perera (12 not out) helped their team cross the 150-run mark.

Jasprit Bumrah (3-29) was the pick of the bowlers for Mumbai while Harbhajan Singh and Mitchell McClenaghan claimed one wicket each.

Brief Scores: Rising Pune Supergiants 159/5 in 20 overs (Saurabh Tiwary 57; Jasprit Bumrah 3-29) vs Mumbai Indians

--IANS

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