Simon Doull lashes out at PBKS premier pacer for two no balls during LSG's onslaught 

Simon Doull & PBKS (Source: Twitter)

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) bowlers had a night to forget on Friday, April 28, as the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) batters smashed them mercilessly to register the highest score of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 and the second-highest total of all time. Batting first, LSG posted a mammoth score of 257/5 and bowled out their opponents for 201 runs to register an emphatic 56-run victory in Mohali.

Kyle Mayers started the fireworks with a blazing knock of 54 (24) and the rest of the batters carried the pace ahead. Ayush Badoni (43 off 24) and Marcus Stonis (72 off 40) put on an 80-plus partnership before the former fell in the 14th over, and then Nicholas Pooran joined the party with a quick 19-ball 45. Barring Rahul Chahar (7.2), all PBKS bowlers had an economy rate of more than 12.

After missing the last game, the South African star bowler Kagiso Rabada retuned to the playing 11, but he also had an off day at work. Although the right-arm pacer picked up a couple of wickets, he conceded 52 runs in four overs, including a few extras. PBKS were already frustrated by the LSG batter's onslaught, during which Rabada bowled two no-balls and two wides.

Simon Doull slammed Rabada after he overstepped for the second time

The-27-year-old treated the opponent with two free-hits, and did not pleased the former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull. Doull, who was on commentary, lashed out at Rabada when he overstepped for the second time in the match. Rabada bowled a no-ball to give a free hit and an extra run to LSG in the fifth ball of the 16th over. His free hit delivery was wide and thankfully the following delivery resulted in a single.

"This is unacceptable behaviour. You're an international bowler. He's pushing it all the time, even when he is behind he is just there by an inch," Doull said.

The game's fate was almost sealed after the fist innings with PBKS needed almost 13 runs per over to pull off an improbable chase. However, even after losing their skipper Shikhar Dhawan early on, they scored at a decent rate to get to 201.