Sam Curran takes Punjab Kings joint top of the IPL after a thrilling win over Lucknow Super Giants

Sam Curran captained Punjab Kings to a two-wicket victory over Lucknow yesterday that propelled his side to joint-top in the Indian Premier League.

England international Curran, the most expensive player in IPL history at £1.85million, was leading the Kings in the absence of the unwell Shikhar Dhawan.

The 24-year-old claimed three for 31 with the ball to restrict the Super Giants to 159 for eight, but was then made to sweat when England team-mate Mark Wood claimed two late wickets to reclaim the purple cap – awarded to the most prolific bowler in the tournament.

Wood’s late brace took him past India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and to 11 victims, and also left the visitors requiring seven from the final over with number 10 Kagiso Rabada at the crease.

But Shahrukh Khan finished things with three balls to spare, to place Punjab alongside Lucknow, Rajasthan and Gujarat on six points at the summit.

Sam Curran (left) led Punjab Kings to victory over Mark Wood’s (right) Lucknow Super Giants, although Wood became the highest wicker taker in IPL 2023 during the game

Mohammad Abbas set up a thrilling final day at the Oval with six wickets for Hampshire against Surrey

Meanwhile, England Test opener Zak Crawley suffered the ignominy of being dismissed leg before by veteran Chris Rushworth twice in a day as Kent struggled to stave off defeat against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

Kent resume 268 runs behind, with nine wickets standing, having been asked to follow-on in Birmingham.

Pakistan star Hasan Ali took three first-innings wickets on his home debut while Ashes hopeful Chris Woakes claimed two in his first first-class appearance for 13 months.

Another Pakistani in Mohammed Abbas took six for 54 in what is shaping to be a final-day thriller between champions Surrey and Hampshire at the Kia Oval.