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Untitled Document
 Boucher scripts Royal Challengers' victory
21st Apr 2008 08:00 IST
Agencies
Mark Boucher hit a brilliant 39 and shared a crucial 55-run partnership with compatriot Jacques Kallis to script a thrilling five-wicket win for Bangalore Royal Challengers over Mumbai Indians in their IPL Twenty20 encounter in Mumbai Sunday night.
Chasing 166 to win, the visitors weathered a clutch of wickets between the ninth and 14th overs to reach the target in 19.4 overs at the Wankhede stadium.
With this win, Challengers wiped off the bad memories of the crushing 140-run defeat in their opening match against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Boucher hit two sixes and four fours in his unbeaten 19-ball knock and weaved a 55-run partnership for the fifth-wicket with Kallis to ensure his team earns their first points in the tournament.
The 17th and 18th overs virtually sealed the hosts' fate when Sanath Jayasuriya and Ashish Nehra were carted for 29 runs with the Bangalore team needing 40 from the last four.
Boucher struck Jayasuriya for a straight six in the first ball of the 17th over to set the tone and then the Proteas wicket keeper slammed the left arm pacer for a six and a four off the last two balls.
Kallis departed in the 19th over bowled by Mumbai Indians' stand-in captain Harbhajan Singh with five runs short of victory target but it was but a minor hurdle in Bangalore's victory charge.
Opening the innings, skipper Rahul Dravid gave the run chase an early momentum by hitting a quick-fire 32-run cameo.
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