IPL 2022 | Livingstone's brutal 22-ball 49* powers PBKS to a 5-wicket win over SRH

An unbeaten 22-ball 49 from Liam Livingstone has helped Punjab Kings (PBKS) end yet another disappointing season on a high, as they thumped Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by five wickets on Sunday to bring down the curtains on the league stage of the 15th edition of IPL.

Livingstone, who has been one of the few shining lights for PBKS this season, lit up the IPL for one final time this year as the blistering English batter took apart the Sunrisers' attack with disdain.

The all-rounder smashed five monstrous sixes and a couple of fours in his innings and was well supported by Jitesh Sharma, who stroked three fours and a six in his cameo of 7-ball 19. The wicket-keeper batter provided the final flourish in what proved to be an easy run chase of 158.

Earlier, Jonny Bairstow provided a flying start to the Punjab-based franchise, smashing five 4s in his stay of 15-ball 23 before getting dismissed to Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Shikhar Dhawan played the role of anchor opener to brilliant effect as the likes of Shahrukh Khan (19 off 10 deliveries), and Livingstone continued to tee off at the other end.

Farooqi (2/32) proved to be the most successful bowler for SRH. Umran (1/24 in 2.1), Suchith (1/38 in 4), and Washington Sundar (1/19 in 2) were the other figures, while skipper Bhuvneshwar had a rare bad day at the office as he conceded 22 in two wicketless overs.

Abhishek Sharma and Romario Shepherd spearhead SRH to 157

Earlier, Sunrisers Hyderabad rode on a handy knock from Abhishek Sharma (43 off 32 deliveries) and 20s from Aiden Markram (21 off 17 deliveries), Rahul Tripathi (20 off 18), Washington Sundar (25 off 19), and Romario Shepherd (26* off 15) to post a middling 157/8 in 20 overs.

The 2016 IPL champions got off to a disastrous start as makeshift opener Priyam Garg perished to Kagiso Rabada for a 7-ball 4 in the 3rd over of the innings.

Abhishek and Tripathi stroked some lusty blows to get SRH to the score of 43 at the end of the powerplay.

However, just as the duo were warming up for an extensive partnership, Tripathi gave his wicket away by mistiming a freebie from Harpreet Brar to Shikhar Dhawan at short fine-leg.

Abhishek continued in his merry way as he moved to 43 courtesy of some delightful strokes, but the southpaw fell at the worst possible time. He was dismissed by Brar in the 11th over when his attempted lofted drive was holed to Livingstone at long-on.

This proved to be the theme of SRH's innings as batters kept getting the starts before squandering them.

Markram managed 21 from 17 deliveries before becoming Brar’s third victim courtesy of a brilliant stumping from Jitesh Sharma while Nicholas Pooran could only score 5 from 10 deliveries before he was dismissed by Nathan Ellis.

With just 96 runs on the board after 15 overs, the orange army needed a big push in the last 30 deliveries in order to get to a competitive total. However, Arshdeep Singh was once again sensational at the death, conceding just 15 runs in 12 deliveries.

Romario Shepherd and Washington Sundar took full toll on Ellis and especially Rabada as the duo hammered 46 runs in the three overs delivered by the Punjab Kings’ pair at the slog overs. SRH eventually racked up 61 runs in the final five to end with 157. 

For Punjab, Brar was the pick of the bowlers as he finished with figures of 3/26 in four overs. Arshdeep and Livingstone didn’t get any wickets but were extremely economical, conceding just 50 runs between them across 8 overs.

It proved to be the decisive factor in the game as their batsman made light work of the target to ensure that Punjab finished the season at the 6th spot.

Hyderabad, meanwhile, capped off the season with another disappointing show, finishing their campaign at the 8th spot.

Brief Scores:

Sunrisers Hyderabad 157/8 (20)

Abhishek Sharma 43 (32)

Romario Shepherd 26* (15)

Harpreet Brar 3/26 (4)

Nathan Ellis 3/40 (4)

Punjab Kings 160/5 (15.1 overs)

Liam Livingstone 49* (22)

Shikhar Dhawan 39 (32)

Fazalhaq Farooqi 2/32 (4)

Washington Sundar 1/19 (2)

Match Result: Punjab Kings won by 5 wickets.