Images: Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab

Mumbai Indians all-rounder Dwayne Bravo celebrates after running out Kings XI Punjab batsman Irfan Pathan during the 2009 Indian Premier League in Centurion, on Tuesday.

Bravo smashed a quickfire half-century to guide the Mumbai Indians to an eight-wicket victory and keep their hopes alive of making it to the semi-finals.

Mumbai Indians players congratulate Harbhajan Singh (centre) after he took the wicket of Kumar Sangakkara.

Punjab opener Sunny Sohal blasted a quickfire 43 but the innings almost ground to a halt when Mumbai off-spinners Harbhajan Singh and JP Duminy were introduced.

Harbhajan finished with dream figures of one for nine in his four overs.

JP Duminy also made a vital contribution with the ball with the wickets of Wilkin Mota and Yuvraj Singh in his second over.

The part-timer spinner took advantage of the conditions quite well to claim two for 15 in his four overs.

Mumbai's reply started badly when Sanath Jayasuriya was caught at third man off Brett Lee for four.

However, West Indian all-rounder Bravo smashed 70 from just 59 deliveries, inclusive of seven boundaries and three sixes as Mumbai cruised to 122 for two in 16.2 overs in reply to Punjab's 119 for nine in their 20 overs.

Sachin Tendulkar also looked in good touch as he finished unbeaten on a quick 41 from 29 deliveries.

He put on an unbroken stand of 82 runs in 10.3 overs with Bravo to guide Mumbai to an easy victory.

Tendulkar (left) celebrates with Bravo after winning the match.

The victory saw Mumbai rise to fourth in the standings with 11 points from as many games, while Punjab slipped to seventh with 10 points from the same number of games.