01 October,2011 06:39 AM IST | | A Correspondent
Heavy showers play spoilsport after Kanwar, Pollard power Mumbai Indians to a competitive 176 for five against Cape Cobras
Despite Kieron Pollard (37-ball 58) and Sarul Kanwar's (45 off 21) heroics, Mumbai Indians had to be content with one point following a consistent downpour forcing the match to be called off. Pollard's blistering innings during the end helped Mumbai Indians reach 176 for five in their Champions League T20 match against Cape Cobras at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here yesterday.
Going for the kill: Kieron Pollard lofts one for the maximum against
Cape Cobras yesterday. PIC/AFP
The West Indian hit three sixes and six fours for his 58. Pollard was ably supported by New Zealand's James Franklin, who scored a run-a-ball 18. The duo shared a 69-run fourth-wicket stand and bailed Mumbai out after few wickets fell in quick succession. Put into bat, opener Kanwar lifted Charl Langeveldt for a six to start the assault. There was no respite even for Dale Steyn. Kanwar hit the South African pacer for a couple of sixes and then smashed JP Duminy for 17 runs in one over.
Mumbai reached the 50-run mark in the fifth over banking on Kanwar's bat. In all, Kanwar cleared the ropes five times and hit three boundaries for his well-made 45. But Mumbai Indians' middle-order faltered and at the halfway mark they were 75 for three. Ambati Rayudu, who had a memorable last IPL, failed to repeat his performance and was dismissed for six.
But Pollard managed to turn the tide in Mumbai Indians' favour with his customary big shots. Assisted by Franklin, Pollard took the score past 100 in the 13th over of the innings. The Caribbean batsman slammed two sixes of Robin Peterson's 15th over. Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds (14) remained unbeaten. For Cobras, Peterson was the pick of the bowlers, snaring two for 29 while Steyn, Duminy and Kemp bagged one apiece.