23 May 2011

Franklin stars in IPL win

11:02 am on 23 May 2011

The New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin smashed 45 runs off just 23 balls to help lift the Mumbai Indians to a thrilling last ball win over the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier cricket League.

Mumbai needed 21 to win off the last over to surpass Kolkata's 175-7, but Black Cap Franklin hit 17 off the first five balls of the final over before batting partner Ambati Rayudu finished the game with a six off the final delivery.

In another match, Chris Gayle cracked an unbeaten 75 as Royal Challengers Bangalore topped the points table with an eight-wicket win over Daniel Vettori's Chennai Super Kings.

The West Indies opener hit six sixes in his 50-ball knock as Bangalore surpassed Chennai's total of 128-8 with two overs to spare in their last league match of the Twenty20 tournament.

Bangalore (19 points), Chennai (18), Mumbai (18) and Kolkata (16) have qualified for the play-offs.