IPL: Anrich Nortje returns from injury but Kolkata Knight Riders fall to Punjab Kings

    Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortje returned after four months out injured but it was fellow South African paceman Marco Jansen who shone with the ball as Punjab Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 16 runs in their IPL clash on Tuesday.

    Anrich Nortje Anrich Nortje

    Norjte last played a competitive match in December when he was part of the Deccan Gladiators' team in the Abu Dhabi T20 but withdrew from the Proteas' squad for the Champions Trophy due to a back injury.

    The 31-year-old still bowled at extreme pace on Tuesday, despite his long absence from competitive cricket, and returned respectable figures of 1-23 in three overs as the Knight Riders restricted the Kings to a total of 111 all out.

    Th Knight Riders put in a good allround bowling performance with spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine taking two wickets apiece while seamer Harshit Rana took 3-25 in three overs.

    The Knight Riders, however, imploded in the run-chase and were dismissed for just 95 in 15.1 overs with left-arm paceman Jansen taking 3-17 in 3.1 overs.

    India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal also had game to remember, taking 4-28 as the Punjab Kings surged to victory that seemed unlikely at the halfway stage.

    It was the lowest ever total that has been defended in the history of the IPL competition.