Kings XI Punjab skipper George Bailey praises Akshar Patel for "extraordinary" batting against Barbados

Akshar Patel blasted 23 off just 9 balls to secure a close win for KXIP in CLT20

Kings XI Punjab captain George Bailey singled out Akshar Patel for praise after his cameo of 23* off just 9 deliveries helped them beat Barbados Tridents by 4 wickets and notch up their second successive victory of the tournament.

Needing 25 runs to get off the final 2 overs, Akshar Patel hit 3 boundaries and a mighty six off the bowling of Ravi Rampaul to bring the equation down to 5 off the last over.

"For a guy like Akshar to come in and hit his first 9 balls for 26 runs is extraordinary. It's a beautiful batting wicket. I was proud of the way we bowled," Bailey said after the match.

With three more matches to go in the group stage for Kings XI, Bailey hoped that their unblemished record in run-chases continues.

"Long may our chasing record continue. We get off to great starts. Once again we did that and we're thereabouts with the run rate."

David Miller, who scored 46 off 34 balls and was adjudged man of the match, also credited Akshar for his handy late-order contribution as it helped take the pressure off Miller.

"Only towards the end did I hit one out of the ground. Akshar made it easy and took a lot pressure off my shoulders. I was lucky up front, getting a few chances, but once I'm in I back myself to hit the boundaries," he said.

"It's a see-ball-hit-ball type mentality. We've got some great spinners and some quicks. Perera is showing some strength for the team. He can clear the boundary and takes wickets as well."

Although Akshar had conceded 42 off 4 overs with the ball, his team-mates, including, Virender Sehwag, couldn’t stop heaping praise on the all-rounder.

"No one expected Patel to bat the way he did. The six he hit off Rampaul was amazing," Sehwag said.

Sehwag also credited the groundsman for preparing the ideal T20 track, with both batsmen and bowlers having enough in the wicket to exploit in their favour.

"It's a good track to bat on. A little bit slow. A couple of balls spun when Mendis bowled, but overall it was a good T20 wicket."

Barbados Tridents disappointed

Barbados Tridents skipper Rayad Emrit, meanwhile, was disappointed with his side’s loss especially after having had 25 runs to defend off the final two overs.

"I thought with two overs to go, we should have had it with 26 (25) runs to defend. Ravi is our most experienced bowler. Another day he will get it right, but it didn't happen today. We had spoken among the kinds of lengths we needed to bowl," he said.