The 21st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 turned out to be an absolute thriller, where Punjab Kings (PBKS) defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Opting to bowl first, Punjab restricted the Super Giants to 159/8 in their 20 overs. LSG skipper KL Rahul was their top scorer, smashing 74 runs off 56 balls with eight fours and one six. Sam Curran, who was leading PBKS in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan, was the pick of the bowler with three scalps for 31 in 4 overs. Similarly, Kagiso Rabada also bagged a couple for 34 runs.
In response, Punjab Kings chased down the target with three balls to spare, finishing at 161/8 in 19.3 overs. Sikandar Raza played a match-winning knock for Punjab, scoring 57 runs off 41 balls with four fours and three sixes. Other notable contributions came from Matthew Short (34 runs off 22 balls) and Shahrukh Khan (23 runs off 10 balls). For the Super Giants, Yudhvir Singh was the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets for 19 runs in his three overs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Sikandar Raza becomes the first Zimbabwe cricketer to win Player of the Match in IPL.
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
Shahrukh Khan gets over the line 🔥🔥
What a finish to an epic chase 🙌
Scorecard ▶️ |
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL)
What a finish from and what a match winning knock from !! 👏🏾 takes the win tonight with a brilliant bowling spell! Great spell by the young gun Yudhvir Singh. Exciting prospect!!
— Robbie Uthappa (@robbieuthappa)
Wo Sikandar hee dosto kehlata hai 😉 A fighting win to get the campaign back on track 💪🏽 Well played boys 👏🏽
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
Pleased for Shahrukh bhai as he provides the finishing touches.
And Sikander Raza is a born fighter. When he came out to bat, it was 40 odd for 3.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12)
First Zimbabwe player to win POTM award in IPL – Raza.
First Zimbabwe player to score a fifty in IPL – Raza.
First Zimbabwe player to take a wicket in IPL – Raza.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
What a fantastic chase from ! Shahrukh Khan oozed confidence in the final over and Sikandar Raza played a crucial knock. Another thrilling finish in . 👌
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03)
When it comes to "survival at all costs", Raza is truly a Sikander.
Not just this run out but his life story itself is an amazing journey.
Good knock so far. Hope he can see this thru.
— KSR (@KShriniwasRao)
Seems LUCKNOW should make it , even Amit mishra will be impact player so is Prabhsimran for Punjab.
— RJ ALOK (@OYERJALOK)
What a win boys!! Thanks to the Punjabi boy from the other side of the border. Sikander Raza 🚀
— Jahazi (@Oye_Jahazi)
First IPL fifty for 👏👏
— AKSHAY (@akshay14793)
