Bangalore ease into IPL playoffs with win over Punjab

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in Sharjah to advance to the playoffs of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Opting to bat first, Bangalore scored 164 for 7, thanks to Glenn Maxwell's 33-ball-57 and Devdutt Padikkal's 40 off 38 balls.

In reply, Punjab could only manage 158 for 6 with Yuzvendra Chahal delivering a game-changing spell of 3-29.

Mayank Agarwal top-scored for Punjab with 57 off 42 balls, while Moises Henriques (3-12) and Mohammed Shami (3-39) stood out in the bowling department.

With 16 points from 12 games, RCB is the third team after Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals to progress to the last-four stage.