David Miller struck the winning runs as the Kings XI Punjab ended the Cape Cobras’ Champions League Trophy campaign with a seven-wicket victory in Mohali on Sunday.

The Cobras never really gave themselves a chance after they lost their way after Richard Levi and Hashim Amla had got them off to a strong start.

They set the Kings XI Punjab a target of 136 but it was never going to be a winning target and the total was chased down in 18.1 overs as the Indian franchise reached 139 for 3, with Amla giving himself what turned out to be one ball that Miller tucked away through mid-on.

‘We knew we had to put a big score with such a strong batting line up. We tried out best out there but unfortunately not good enough,’ said stand-in Cobras captain Dane Vilas. ‘We came in rusty and started too slow and playing catch up is very tough. The spinners bowled beautifully. Robbie [Peterson] bowled beautifully and SR [Engelbrecht], with the other game as well, he’s been great.’

It had all looked so much more promising for the South African side after the openers had made the most of the early fielding restrictions.

Amla was first to go, caught by David Miller off Karanveer Singh, for 40 made off 22 balls (seven fours and a six) with the total on 60 in the seventh over after the Cobras had been sent into bat.

Levi (42 off 37 balls, including three sixes) was third man out for 42 with the score on 105 after 13 overs, but then five wickets fell for 28 runs in the space of five overs as the Kings XI Punjab – also eliminated from the tournament – applied the pressure.

The Cobras in fact lost their last seven wickets for 30 runs in 5.3 overs. Apart from Levi and Amla, only Stiaan van Zyl (13), Omphile Ramela (12) and Dane Vila (10) reached double figures. Anureet Singh (3-12) and Akshar Patel (3-15) did the most damage.

The Cobras return home having won one match.