Moeen Ali’s explosive batting means Royal Challengers Bangalore after heading into a last match showdown with Rajasthan Royals to see if they can quality for the knockout stages of the Indian Premier League.
The Worcestershire all-rounder smashed 65 off just 34 balls in the vital 14 runs win over Tom Moody’s side Sunrisers in Hyderabad.
It was the third win in a row for the Challengers and lifted them to fifth spot in the table – one of four teams on 12 points.
They must now defeat the Royals in their final match tomorrow and hope other results go their way in the battle to finish in the top four.
Moeen hit SIX sixes in a devastating display of hitting which rescued his side from 38-2 and hoisted them to 218-6 in their 20 overs.
After a quiet start – just four of his first eight deliveries – Moeen cut loose with successive sixes off Basil Thampi.
He was caught on the boundary by Shikhar Dhawan when going for a third six off Sandeep Sharma but the fielder carried the ball over the boundary.
Moeen went to his maiden IPL 50 off 25 balls and shared in a third wicket stand of 107 in 9.3 overs with AB de Villiers (69 off 39 balls).
He was eventually fourth out at 149 in the 15th over, caught behind off a reverse paddle shot against Rashid Khan.
But a quickfire 40 off 17 balls from Colin de Gradhomme carried the Sunrisers to their formidable total.
Moeen then made an important contribution with the ball in dismissing one-time Worcestershire loan player, Alex Hales, for 37.
The Sunrisers made a bold effort to reach their formidable target but closed on 204-3.
