Dubai, Oct 18 (UNI) Half century from Quinton de Kock 53 off 43 and quickfire 34 off 12 from Pollard helped MI reach a challenging 176/6 in 20 overs against KXIP in the 36th match of the IPL at Dubai International Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.
Towards the end of the innings it was fireworks from Coulter-Nile and Pollard (not out) bringing in 57 run stand for seventh wicket taking MI to 176.
Coulter-Nile 24 off 12 (4 fours) and Pollard 34 off 12 (1 four, 4 sixes) remained unbeaten.
MI winning the toss opted to bat first against Punjab.
Openers Rohit Sharma and Q de Kock started as duo put 23 runs for first wicket, but there was disappointment from skipper Rohit going cheaply at 9 off 8 balls with 2 fours in 3rd over bowled by Arshdeep singh.
After Rohit's departure MI wickets started falling with likes of Suryakumar Yadav for a duck in 4th over, Ishan Kishan 7 in 6th over, Krunal Pandya 34 off 30 (4 fours, 1 sixes) in 14th over, Hardik Pandya in 16th over at 8 and de Kock 53 off 43 (3 fours, 3 sixes) in 17th over.
It was de Kock and Hardik Pandya who played a pivotal role saving their team from further damage control bringing 58 runs stand for fourth wicket and another 20 runs stand between duo for fifth wicket proved to be useful.
In the last three overs Coulter-Nile and Pollard hammered Punjab bowlers for 54 runs.
In the last over Pollard smashed Jordan for 6,6 and 4 taking MI to challenging total.
For KXIP wicket-takers were Shami 2/30, Arshdeep 2/35, Jordan 1/32 and Bishnoi 1/12.
UNI NC 2123