Shoaib stars on IPL debut

Shoaib: Devastating opening spell dismantled Delhi

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Indian Premier League
Kolkata
Kolkata Knight Riders 133-6 v Delhi Daredevils 110 (Shoaib Akhtar 4-11)
Kolkata Knight Riders beat Delhi Daredevils by 23 runs

Shoaib Akhtar made an instant impression on the Indian Premier League, capturing 4-11 on his debut to bowl Kolkata Knight Riders to a 23-run win over Delhi Daredevils.

The Rawalpindi Express helped his new side record a third successive win that leaves them on target for a semi-final spot.

Laxmi Shukla picked up 3-6 as the Knight Riders needed an inspired bowling performance after only making 133-6 from their 20 overs.

Delhi's reply suffered a blow when they lost skipper Virender Sehwag for a first-ball duck and they were bowled out for a paltry 110 inside 18 overs.

Such a low-scoring thriller hadn't appeared on the cards when Kolkata skipper Sourav Ganguly had won the toss and chosen to bat first on a good surface.

Solid start

Salman Butt provided the backbone of the home side's total, the Pakistan opener hitting a top score of 48 that included seven fours.

However, David Hussey managed the only other worthwhile contribution, his run-a-ball 31 containing no fours but two sixes.

Only four Knight Riders managed to make it into double figures as Delhi's seamers did an excellent job of stifling the runs as well as picking up wickets throughout.

Glenn McGrath set the tone by conceding only 22 from his four overs, while Yo Mahesh and Farveez Maharoof chipped in with two wickets apiece.

The Daredevils would have had high hopes of chasing down 134 despite the early departure of Sehwag, who was caught behind to become Shoaib's first victim.

With the Eden Gardens crowd firmly behind him for a change the Pakistan paceman then ripped through the top order, dismissing the dangerous duo of Gautam Gambhir and AB de Villiers cheaply.

Tillakaratne Dilshan attempted to hit his side out of trouble with a quick-fire 25 before he was run out.

Shukla then came on to mop up the lower order, Amit Mishra (31) the first of his three victims as the match came to an end in a hurry.