Richard Levi top-scored for the South African side with his 42-run knock but it was Hashim Amla who provided impetuous to their innings at start with his blistering 22-ball 40.
Amla and Levi were only ones who put up some resistance as other Cobras batsmen failed to get going and were bowled out without completing their 20-overs quota.
The two openers put on 60 runs for the opening wicket and that was only bright spot for the South African side after they were asked to take first strike.
Patel (3/15) accounted for Sybrand Engelbrecht (5), Justin Kemp (2) and Vernon Philander (5).
Amla along with Levi made a fiery start for the Cobras as they creamed off 59 runs in the Powerplay overs.
Amla, particularly, was harsh on the host bowlers as he punished them with seven fours and a six in his pacy knock.
With nothing working, Punjab skipper George Bailey introduced Karanveer Singh and the young leg-spinner responded by dismissing the dangerous-looking Amla.
The new batsman in Omphile Ramela (12) though did not last long, falling to a poor shot off paceman Thisara Perera.
Runs dried up as hosts took control over the proceedings with some good bowling. Levi brought up the hundred of the innings with a six off Glenn Maxwell but the bowler had revenge two balls later when the Australian held on to a difficult caught and bowled chance.
Losing a set batsman was not what Cobras wanted. But the misery did not end here as they continued to lose batsmen.