At 23-3 after four overs, with the target of 213 a distant blur and skipper KL Rahul batting from poor memory, Lucknow Super Giants appeared out for the count. But in a chase right out of the T20 handbook of the ‘nothing is impossible’ genre, the visitors pulled the fat out of the fire, conjuring a remarkable last-ball, one-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in a humdinger.

Marcus Stoinis first, and then the effervescent Nicholas Pooran with the fastest half-century of the season (15 balls), were the architects of the latest heist in the Indian Premier League at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday. There was panic from both sides, needless adventurism from Lucknow with the finish line in sight, and a final-ball fumble from veteran stumper Dinesh Karthik that allowed tailenders Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan to scramble the winning bye.