A late charge from David Miller and Akshar Patel stole the show in Kings XI Punjab’s four-wicket victory over Barbados Tridents and KXIP skipper George Bailey was all praise for the 20-year-old Patel.
Patel made an unbeaten nine-ball 23, including a mammoth six of Ravi Rampaul, and stitched 47 runs partnership with Miller to drive his team home.
Bailey said he is quite impressed by the way Patel played under pressure and it delighted to register yet another win chasing in the tournament.
“For a guy like Akshar to come in and hit his first 9 balls for 23 runs is extraordinary,” Bailey said. “It’s a beautiful batting wicket. I was proud of the way we bowled today.”
“Long may our chasing record continue,” he added. “We get off to great starts. Once again we did that and we’re thereabouts with the run rate.”
Man of the match, Miller, who made an unbeaten 46 and held the innings together, also praised the 20-year-old prodigy and added that Patel reduced pressure from him.
“Only towards the end did it hit one out of the ground,” Miller said. “Akshar made it easy and took a lot of pressure off my shoulders. I was lucky up front, getting a few chances, but once I’m in I back myself to hit the boundaries.”
“It’s a see-ball-hit-ball type mentality,” “We’ve got some great spinners and some quicks. Perera is showing some strength for the team. He can clear the boundary and takes wickets as well.”
