JAMMU: Despite the brilliant display by spinning trio of Praveen Gupta, Imran Khan and skipper Harbhajan Singh, who hit the right areas and bowled with nagging line and teasing length, Pawan Negi played a power-packed innings of 11-ball 25 runs to guide Southern Super Stars to a thrilling 5-wicket victory over their rivals on a wicket that was on slower side in the prestigious Legends League Cricket at MA Stadium, here on Monday.

While chasing a modest total of 124 runs set by Manipal Tigers, Southern Super Stars needed 28 runs in the last two overs and rode on Pawan Negi's heroics to finish the game in 19.4 overs. Negi hit 2 fours and 2 massive sixes in his explosive knock.

Openers Jesse Ryder and Upul Tharanga scored 30 runs each off 31 and 38 balls respectively. Ryder hit 4 fours and one six in his knock, while Thranga struck 2 fours and one six. Shreevats Goswami and Rajesh Bishnoi also contributed valuable 19 and 11 runs to the total.

Praveen Gupta of Manipal Tigers was the pick of the bowlers, who took 2 wickets by conceding 9 runs in his 3 overs, while Imran Khan also took 2 wickets by giving away 24 runs in his 4 overs. Skipper Harbhajan Singh was the most economical bowler who gave away just 10 runs in his 4 overs and took an important wicket of explosive opener Jesse Ryder.

Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, Harbhajan Singh-led Manipal Tigers scored a modest total of 124 runs in 20 overs, losing 9 wickets on the surface which was on the slower side.

Anjelo Perera top scored with unbeaten 47 runs off 34 balls, studded with 2 fours and 2 sixes, while Hamilton Masakadza contributed 26 runs off 28 balls with 2 fours. Thisara Perera (13) and Robin Uthappa (11) were the other contributors.

Pawan Negi, Abdur Razzak and Johan Botha took 2 wickets each for Southern Super Stars, while Ashok Dinda and C de Silva claimed one wicket each.