Robin Uthappa 88*, Gautam Gambhir 61* lead India Maharajas to first win of the event

India Maharajas 158 for 0 (Uthappa 88*, Gambhir 61*) beat Asia Lions 157 for five (Tharanga 69, Dilshan 32, Raina 2-16) by ten wickets

Uthappa and Gambhir performed fantastically from the outset of the chase. Former Pakistan bowler Mohammad Amir, till just lately competing within the PSL, was hit for 2 boundaries by Uthappa within the second over, whereas Gambhir smashed Sohail Tanvir for 3 consecutive fours within the third. Gambhir, the main run-scorer within the event, punched the primary of these fours via cowl. He then lofted one over mid-off, and later punished the third ball outdoors off with a drive via additional cowl.

There was no respite for the power-packed Lions bowling line-up. Shoaib Akhtar tried to take tempo off the ball, however Uthappa latched on with 4 via sq. leg. Later, Gambhir sliced the ultimate supply of Akhtar’s solely over in the direction of backward level to gather one other boundary.

The former Kolkata Knight Riders opening companions made the sport so tough for Lions that captain Misbah-ul-Haq needed to name for Isuru Udana because the Impact Player; however Udana too was struck for 26 runs in his two overs. Eventually, Maharajas cruised to the win with 45 balls to spare.

Maharajas medium-pacer Stuart Binny was focused by each batters. In the fifth over, Tharanga dispatched a brief ball for 4 whereas Dilshan discovered the hole via sq. leg off the ultimate ball of the over. Their partnership climbed to 56 after the powerplay.

Binny finally dismissed Dilshan as he picked out Irfan Pathan at quick third, the place Pathan took a pointy low catch. While Tharanga struggled for timing, he stored the rating shifting together with a spirited 69, which included seven fours and two sixes.

Abdul Razzaq helped deliver some late impetus to the innings with 27 from 17 balls that included two fours and sixes every, carrying Lions to 157, however that proved to be considerably quick ultimately.