IPL 2020: Preity Zinta all smiles as Kings XI Punjab win thriller in Sharjah - in pictures

Gayle hits fifty in first match of the season against Royal Challengers Bangalore

Preity Zinta, co-owner of the Kings XI Punjab, during the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Sportzpics for BCCI

Preity Zinta cheered on as Kings XI Punjab won a last-ball thriller against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Sharjah. Sportzpics for BCCI

Preity Zinta was all smiles during the match against Bangalore in Sharjah. Sportzpics for BCCI

Preity Zinta at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Sportzpics for BCCI

Preity Zinta watched Kings XI Punjab register just their second win of the season. Sportzpics for BCCI

Preity Zinta during the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab in Sharjah. Sportzpics for BCCI

Despite the win, Preity Zinta's Kings XI Punjab remain at the bottom of the IPL table. Sportzpics for BCCI

Kings XI Punjab captain KL Rahul scored a match-winning fifty against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Sharjah. Sportzpics for BCCI

Virat Kohli top-scored for Royal Challengers in Sharjah. Sportzpics for BCCI

Chris Gayle hit a striking fifty on his return to the Kings XI Punjab line-up. Sportzpics for BCCI

Mayank Agarwal made 45 for Kings XI Punjab in Sharjah. Sportzpics for BCCI

Chris Gayle returned to the Kings XI Punjab line-up after recovering from a stomach bug. Sportzpics for BCCI

West Indies great Chris Gayle hit a match-winning fifty in his first outing in this season's IPL to give Kings XI Punjab some respite.

Gayle hit 53 and added 93 with captain KL Rahul, who made an unbeaten 61, as Kings XI chased down 172 to beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight wickets in Sharjah on Thursday.

Even so, Kings XI remained at the bottom of the table after what was just their second win of the tournament.

There was late drama for Kings XI, however. Needing two for victory in the last over, they scored just one run and lost Gayle to a run out on the fifth ball. Nicholas Pooran then hit the winning six off the last ball from leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.

It was a special knock from Gayle, 41, as he had recently recovered from a stomach bug.

"It is the Universe Boss batting, how can I be nervous?" Gayle said after the win.

"I thought I had it in the bag but stranger things have happened in cricket. It was a very sticky surface, very slow, but it was better batting second. The team asked me to do a job at three and it wasn't an issue."

It was a much-needed win for the team and co-owner Preity Zinta, who was at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The Bollywood star will be hoping for a few more wins like these for an entry into the playoffs.