Highveld Lions Overturn Reigning Champions Mumbai Indians

Highveld Lions Overturn Reigning Champions Mumbai Indians

The Highveld Lions got their Champions League Twenty20 campaign off to a winning start with an impressive win over the Mumbai Indians

©REUTERS / Action Images

Highveld Lions 158-2 (McKenzie 68no) beat
Mumbai Indians 157-6 (Johnson 30) by 8 wickets
Champions League Twenty20, Johannesburg

Highveld Lions used every bit of advantage from playing at home to beat reigning champions Mumbai Indians by eight wickets at the Wanderers Stadium in their Group B clash in Johannesburg.

Mitchell Johnson top scored with 30 as Mumbai posted 157 for six but the Lions overcame the loss of two early wickets to close on 158 for two as Quinton de Kock and Neil McKenzie guided them home with unbeaten half-centuries.

De Kock made 51 in 33 balls and the experienced McKenzie 68 in 41 balls as the Lions reached their target with seven balls to spare.

The pair were left with plenty to do after Gulam Bodi (19) and Alviro Petersen (14) fell to Harbhajan Singh and Lasith Malinga to leave the score 37 for two.

De Kock hit five fours and two sixes while McKenzie hit 12 fours during his innings.

Earlier, Mumbai's top order all made contributions as they scored a competitive total although they had to cope with excellent spells from Sohail Tanvir (2-31) and Dirk Nannes (1-15) while Aaron Phangiso was also impressive in returning one for 17 in his four overs.

Johnson thumped four fours in making 30 in 29 balls, Rohit Sharma made 27 in as many deliveries and Dwayne Smith cracked 26 in 19 balls.

Sachin Tendulkar (16), Kieron Pollard (11) and Dinesh Karthik (19) also played their part but the Lions were not to be denied.

© Cricket World 2012